Gray Reality

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On National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we recognize the men and women who put on the uniform and step into the unknown every day. We see the long hours, the tough calls, and the sacrifices—the ones only those who serve can truly understand.

As a credit union founded and administered by current and former officers, we’re honored to have your back—on this day and every day. You serve us; we
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2 weeks ago
Same Heart, New Name!

🚔As we soon step into the New Year, we’re proud to announce that starting January 1, 2025, National Police Credit Union will officially become National Police Federal Credit Union. 

This name reflects our journey of growth while maintaining the same dedication to law enforcement families. We remain committed to delivering personalized financial solutions and supporting those who serve. Learn all about the upcoming transition and how we’re preparing for this exciting new chapter: https://conta.cc/3ZVurgv

Same Heart, New Name!

🚔As we soon step into the New Year, we’re proud to announce that starting January 1, 2025, National Police Credit Union will officially become National Police Federal Credit Union.

This name reflects our journey of growth while maintaining the same dedication to law enforcement families. We remain committed to delivering personalized financial solutions and supporting those
... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago
2025 Is Bringing Big News!

🎉Exciting things are happening at National Police Credit Union! As of January 1, 2025, we’ll officially become National Police Federal Credit Union! Why the change? It’s all about reflecting our growth while continuing to serve the law enforcement community with unwavering dedication. This name change won’t impact the high-quality service you trust—we’re just evolving to serve you better! Learn about the transition and how we’re moving forward together: https://conta.cc/3ZVurgv

2025 Is Bringing Big News!

🎉Exciting things are happening at National Police Credit Union! As of January 1, 2025, we’ll officially become National Police Federal Credit Union! Why the change? It’s all about reflecting our growth while continuing to serve the law enforcement community with unwavering dedication. This name change won’t impact the high-quality service you trust—we’re just evolving t
... See MoreSee Less

4 weeks ago
A New Name for a New Era!

As we look ahead to 2025, we’re proud to share that National Police Credit Union is becoming National Police Federal Credit Union on January 1! 

While our name is changing, our unwavering commitment to law enforcement heroes and their families stays the same. This name reflects our growth while honoring our mission to serve those who protect and serve. Learn all about this exciting update and what it means for you by visiting our announcement here: https://conta.cc/3ZVurgv

A New Name for a New Era!

As we look ahead to 2025, we’re proud to share that National Police Credit Union is becoming National Police Federal Credit Union on January 1!

While our name is changing, our unwavering commitment to law enforcement heroes and their families stays the same. This name reflects our growth while honoring our mission to serve those who protect and serve. Learn all about thi
... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
Big Changes, Bigger Commitment! 
Big things are coming in 2025!

We’re thrilled to announce that National Police Credit Union is becoming National Police Federal Credit Union starting January 1! 🚔Don’t worry—our mission to support law enforcement remains at the heart of everything we do.

This new name reflects our evolution and commitment to growth while staying true to our roots. Curious about the transition? We’ve got answers—check out our FAQ page all the details. https://conta.cc/3ZVurgv

Big Changes, Bigger Commitment!
Big things are coming in 2025!

We’re thrilled to announce that National Police Credit Union is becoming National Police Federal Credit Union starting January 1! 🚔Don’t worry—our mission to support law enforcement remains at the heart of everything we do.

This new name reflects our evolution and commitment to growth while staying true to our roots. Curious about the
... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
It’s Official—We’re Becoming National Police Federal Credit Union! 
🚓What’s in a name? For us, it’s a reflection of growth and dedication!

On January 1, 2025, National Police Credit Union will transform into National Police Federal Credit Union. While the name is new, our mission remains unchanged: empowering law enforcement families with the best financial services. Curious about the “why”? Don’t worry—we’ve got all your questions covered in our FAQ. Join us as we embrace this exciting new chapter!

Learn more: https://conta.cc/3ZVurgv

It’s Official—We’re Becoming National Police Federal Credit Union!
🚓What’s in a name? For us, it’s a reflection of growth and dedication!

On January 1, 2025, National Police Credit Union will transform into National Police Federal Credit Union. While the name is new, our mission remains unchanged: empowering law enforcement families with the best financial services. Curious about the “why”? Don’t
... See MoreSee Less

2 months ago
Division President Jim Bedinger attended the Kansas Sheriffs Associations Fall Conference on November 20 in Mulvane, Kansas.

Division President Jim Bedinger attended the Kansas Sheriffs' Association's Fall Conference on November 20 in Mulvane, Kansas. ... See MoreSee Less

2 months ago
🎉Same Mission, New Name! Mark your calendars—January 1, 2025, marks a new chapter for us! We’re excited to share that National Police Credit Union will officially become National Police Federal Credit Union!  

Rest assured, while our name is changing, our promise to support law enforcement families remains as steadfast as ever. Wondering why the change? Check out this announcement to get the full scoop. Together, we continue to grow and serve.
Read more: https://conta.cc/3ZVurgv

🎉Same Mission, New Name! Mark your calendars—January 1, 2025, marks a new chapter for us! We’re excited to share that National Police Credit Union will officially become National Police Federal Credit Union!

Rest assured, while our name is changing, our promise to support law enforcement families remains as steadfast as ever. Wondering why the change? Check out this announcement to get the full
... See MoreSee Less

2 months ago

We have some exciting changes on the horizon! Starting January 1, 2025, National Police Credit Union will proudly become National Police Federal Credit Union!

While our name is evolving, our unwavering dedication to law enforcement officers and their families remains stronger than ever.

Curious about the change? Explore our announcement for all the details.

We’re the same trusted institution you
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2 months ago

We are proud to highlight the Griffith, IN Police Department. It was great to connect with Greg Mance, Chief of Police, about the history of the department and its commitment to the community. #PromoteThePatch ... See MoreSee Less

2 months ago
Honoring those who served. This Veterans Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of our veterans. Thank you for your service. #VeteransDay #HonoringHeroes #ThankYouVeterans

Honoring those who served. This Veterans Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of our veterans. Thank you for your service. #VeteransDay #HonoringHeroes #ThankYouVeterans ... See MoreSee Less

2 months ago
Check out this opportunity to join our team in Akron, OH!

Check out this opportunity to join our team in Akron, OH!We're Hiring: Branch Representative (Part-Time)

Take the next step in your career and be part of a supportive team that makes a difference. Learn more: akfirepolicecu.com/careers/

#JobOpportunity #Hiring #CreditUnion #Teamwork #CustomerService
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3 months ago
Happy National First Responders Day! Thank you for your service, dedication, and sacrifice. #FirstResponders #ThankYou

Happy National First Responders Day! Thank you for your service, dedication, and sacrifice. #firstresponders #thankyou ... See MoreSee Less

3 months ago
🚨 Meet the Hosts! Get to know Deputy Scott Brown and Victoria Newman, the voices behind the “Facing Evil” podcast. Learn more about their journey and what inspired them to share this story. Visit FacingEvilPodcast.com. 🎙️ #TrueCrime #PodcastHosts

🚨 Meet the Hosts! Get to know Deputy Scott Brown and Victoria Newman, the voices behind the “Facing Evil” podcast. Learn more about their journey and what inspired them to share this story. Visit FacingEvilPodcast.com. 🎙️ #TrueCrime #PodcastHosts ... See MoreSee Less

3 months ago

📚 Must-Read Book! Before the podcast drops, check out “Facing Evil: A Cop’s Story of Murder, Mayhem, and the Aftermath” on Amazon. Get the full story behind the podcast. 📖🔗 FACING EVIL #TrueCrimeReads #FacingEvilBook

www.amazon.com/Facing-Evil-Murder-Mayhem-Aftermath/dp/B09HFT9H9S/
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3 months ago

🎥 Trailer Alert! Have you seen the trailer for the “Facing Evil” podcast yet? Watch it now at FacingEvilPodcast.com and get a sneak peek into the chilling story. 📽️✨ #PodcastTrailer #TrueCrime ... See MoreSee Less

3 months ago
📅 Countdown Begins! Only five days until the launch of the “Facing Evil” podcast! Get ready to dive into a gripping true crime story. Visit FacingEvilPodcast.com to sign up for episode release notifications. 🎧🔍 #FacingEvilPodcast #TrueCrime

📅 Countdown Begins! Only five days until the launch of the “Facing Evil” podcast! Get ready to dive into a gripping true crime story. Visit FacingEvilPodcast.com to sign up for episode release notifications. 🎧🔍 #FacingEvilPodcast #TrueCrime ... See MoreSee Less

3 months ago

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Gray Reality

Sometimes, reality is harsh. Reality can also be stark. Your own perceptions may even define whatever you deem reality to be. In my experience, reality is most often gray.

Recently, I was having a conversation with a close friend and we were comparing notes on parenting and business and he made a very astute observation. He noted that social media leads us to believe that reality is absolute and extreme.

Somebody who is out having dinner posts a picture and wants everyone to know that they are having the greatest dinner ever created. A parent takes a video of their child doing something around the house and it is shared as the funniest thing a kid has ever done. The weather forecast doesn’t just predict that a storm is coming, it is going to be the mother of all storms. Harmless? Maybe not.

What about the kid who happens to be caught on film in an embarrassing moment that spreads across the digital universe because somebody happened to be right there with their phone and an app? We all have embarrassing moments. I do several times a day, but this person had the misfortune of having his moment caught on video and now he will be forever labeled as the goof in the viral video for all to see.

Whether it is implicit, such as the “we’re all out having a good time” post that you are not included on or explicit, such as the “you’re not one of us unless you are wearing these shoes” post, the social media version of reality is absolute and extreme.

You are either popular or not. You are a republican or a democrat. You are wealthy or poor. You’re either in or out. You are having the most fun doing the greatest things ever or you are by yourself doing nothing.

How about reality tv? Does anyone ever wonder how real or spontaneous something could be if it is happening in front of a camera crew? Are people really surviving in the wilderness when they are surrounded by a television production company? Do people genuinely fall in love in front of an audience? C’mon, let’s get real.

Very rarely is reality absolute and in no way is reality as it is portrayed in these examples, however, this is not a commentary on the evils of social media. The fact that reality is gray is a good thing and cause for optimism.

Most of life takes place in the middle. Some of the excitement comes into play when you do experience an extreme moment, but if you only live when those moments occur, you are going to spend an awful lot of time waiting around and missing out.

Accepting that absolutes and extremes are rare and not representative of reality allows for you to also accept that not everything is exactly as it may appear. Perhaps someone who you thought was rotten has some good qualities after all. Maybe the real world that you reside in isn’t as far away from everyone else’s reality after all.

Absolutes divide us. Think about what it would be like if you just concentrated on who you are and what you think without the burden of being labeled and categorized. What would it be like if we stripped out the politics of politics?

I would be willing to bet that if we all sat down and answered topical questions without being led to believe that our answers would define us as necessarily being a republican or a democrat, we all would be surprised at how undivided we are. How many of you want to have clean air to breathe and fresh water to drink? Does anyone object to that objective? Is crime a good thing or a bad thing for your neighborhood? How about quality education? Anybody against it?

Is it possible that if you are not obsessed with what you perceive others are doing, you may concentrate more on what you are doing? Do you think that if you realized you have more in common with your neighbor than what you initially thought, you might be more inclined to strike up a conversation?

Extremes are not inviting and there isn’t a lot of room for people where they exist. No one, except for Santa, lives at the north or south pole. The weather is harsh, and the environs do not lend themselves to sustainable human life as we know it.

There is, however, plenty of room in the middle. It is neither too hot nor too cold. Unique qualities are admired not scorned. Alternate views are debated not met with contempt.

Extremes and absolutes promote closed minds and hatred for all, but the few who think and act and judge as the other extremists do. The proliferation of these extreme views leads to a cancellation of each other and the expression of creativity and new ideas.

I don’t always remember how gray things really are. On occasion, I will absolutely label someone who cuts me off in traffic as a *&@x!*+&#%!!! I don’t always welcome disagreement with something that I strongly believe in. I am not always in a good mood and I have yet to live a day without finding something that I could be better at.

Overall, however, I prefer to be curious, ask questions, seek opinions, and to collaborate with those who want to share their thoughts. I do try to put myself in other people’s positions and to appreciate alternate perspectives. I have certainly realized that, over time, I have learned far more from someone who had a different take or a more well-rounded approach than the one I would have stated or employed.

Lastly, you might be asking yourself if it is gray or grey. The truth is…it’s both. Gray is the more commonly used American version and grey is more commonly used in Great Britain. It makes no difference to me and, however it is spelled, it is the color or colour I prefer for my reality.

Scott Arney
Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Patrolmen’s Federal Credit Union

Don’t forget, members of the Credit Union enjoy free and confidential Credit Counseling and Financial Planning through our Financial Planning and Education Center. We are here to assist you every step of the way.

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