Last week, the Leadership Dallas County Class XXV visited everything there was to do with law enforcement in the county and in Selma.

We all knew that the job that law enforcement has is hard in any capacity.

However, with a combination of lack of manpower and funds and the increase of crime and gang violence in Selma and the county, the job they experience here is not at all easy.

It is a different perspective when you have heard the testimonials from people who do this job day in and day out that really opens your eyes.

I think that can be true for all jobs and walks of life.

We only know what we see on the surface, but as most people know, there is always more to any job or individual that we don’t know about.

Most jobs are like this, but I think the law enforcement jobs have it the hardest.

What television shows and media convey is oftentimes not true.

I doubt that Mariska Hargitay has ever performed actual police work, but it does tell a good, entertaining story.

There are stereotypes that have been generalized about some careers especially in the last few years.

Seeing what these officers have to go through on a regular basis is shocking.

I would encourage everyone to learn more about the jobs that exist around them. People do difficult jobs like this to keep us as safe as possible.

With limited resources, the officers are spread thinly protecting the city and the county, and we should thank them for not only what we see them do, but for everything else that goes into their position.

It is classes like Leadership Dallas County that are letting us see what not only the law enforcement but every aspect of the city and county, go through on a regular basis.

I look forward to learning more about the county and the city.

I know that even some of my misconceptions of how things are operated can be corrected, and it is truly an eye-opening experience.