During a Tuesday visit to Payne Elementary School, Selma Police Department officer Billy Morgan repeatedly stressed to the students that law enforcement officers are there to help.

Morgan said a fear of policemen is often installed in young people early in their lives as a scare tactic to make them behave.

Unfortunately, this fear sticks with some people their entire lives.

Morgan is absolutely right in the advice he has given students for several decades. The police should be a safety valve, not a “boogy man.”

Unfortunately, that’s not always the way they are perceived. Many of us get nervous when we see police officers in adulthood. It’s a learned behavior that turns into an undesirable instinct.

As Morgan said, no one who obeys the law should ever be afraid of the police.

When we break down on the side of the road, a state trooper or police officer is more than willing to help out.

If someone breaks into your home, the police and sheriff’s department are quick to respond and offer protection.

Simply put, the police officers are your friend.

The lessons taught to elementary school students by Morgan should also serve as an eye-opener to adults.

Alabama State Troopers, Dallas County Sheriff’s Department deputies and officers from the Selma Police Department are more than willing to serve and protect whenever and wherever they are needed. Rather than fear these officers, get to know some of them. If you see a policeman in a store or restaurant, strike up a conversation. More times than not, you’ll find them to be extremely pleasant.