How should a Christian view law enforcement? Does the Bible say anything about the police?
The Bible does not address police officers or law enforcement directly, but has much to say about law, justice, and doing the right thing.
God is a God of justice (Deuteronomy 32:4) and He instructs His people to pursue justice (Deuteronomy 16:20). "Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82:3–4).
God established His wishes through His people, the nation of Israel, in part through a system of laws that would protect them from themselves and each other. When those people could not or would not follow those laws, specific punishments were called for. It is only reasonable that there were those, such as watchmen (Ezekiel 33:6), guards (Nehemiah 4:13), and judges (Ezekiel 44:24 and the book of Judges), to enforce those laws.
In Romans 13, we are instructed to honor those in governing authority over us. "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing" (Romans 13:3–6).
Police officers are agents of the governmental authorities referenced here. When police truly "protect and serve" they are employed in good and godly work. Police and other law enforcement officers serve the least among us and protect us from all kinds of evil. It is a noble vocation fraught with danger that equates with God’s desire for justice and righteousness.
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