As readers of this blog know we are generally discussing drug policy issues.  But today, with the events in Boston over the last week, we are taking time to comment on the police response to the Boston Marathon Bombing.

As the nightmare in Boston drew to a close Friday night, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride for the magnificent work done by law enforcement.   I believe that the good work done by Boston and neighboring PD’s, along with the Massachusetts State Police and the FBI, was not the exception but reflects the professionalism and competence that characterize American Law Enforcement.  How many folks noticed the initial bombing scene — where nearly everyone in the crowd was fleeing, the cops were running toward the danger.  After the initial scene was secured, police officers and other first responders were providing aid to the wounded, securing the crime scene and beginning the investigation into those responsible.  In short order, suspects were identified and the hunt was on.

With the police closing in, the suspects fled and shortly police officers  found themselves in a vehicle pursuit. Every cop in America has been part of a vehicle pursuit but this was the first time in my memory where the suspects were throwing bombs out the car!  During the pursuit and its conclusion, over 200 rounds were fired.  With one suspect dead, the massive manhunt for the second suspect began.  That hunt was concluded later with the capture of the second suspect.

All during the incident police faced enormous logistical challenges, including control of the media, managing a lock down of a major city, and a door to door search for suspects armed with explosives.

All of this came with a tragic price.  In addition to the victims of the initial bombing,  MIT Police Officer Sean Collier was killed and Boston Transit Authority Officer Richard Donohue remains in serious condition.

As I watched, tt made me proud to be a part of the American Police Community.  Like in the aftermath of 9/11, police will experience a period of goodwill and community support.  Let’s hope both police departments and community members can build on this goodwill so that we might have a new era of policing to make every community in the country a safe place to live, to work and to prosper.