Wives of police officers want public support for husbands

A group known as the police wives of Callaway County spoke out for their husbands Tuesday, saying they are being dehumanized.

ABC 17 News met with the women who said the group didn’t come about just because of events in Ferguson.

They were organized before the unrest started in Ferguson, but a recent post to our Facebook page was shared by more than 1,000 people in just a few hours.

The women said their group isn’t to dislike anyone, but only to support their husbands who they said need to be humanized.

“I feel like people are forgetting that they have families,” said one of the wives.

A photo posted on Facebook got them reorganized, and started a conversation about the police officers who we never hear from.

Some of their husbands have been in Ferguson, and the wives said what they’ve seen isn’t an image they want the public to think of.

“we’re forgetting that they’re people, not robots and have lives outside of work.”

They said their posts to social media are to let people know their husbands, who have to stay silent, aren’t there to fight, but just keep the peace.

“People need to understand this isn’t about choosing a side, or the community is against the police officers who most of the police officers live and their families live in the communities they serve. You have the issue of we all have the same goal. We all want decent and safe communities to raise our families.

Some of the wives said they are planning to be a part of a rally to support the Columbia Police Officers Association Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. in downtown Columbia.