At a speech in Bloomfield, Ill., in 1856,Abraham Lincoln, a recently-defeated Senate candidate, remarked, “The ballot is stronger than the bullet.”

While the future 16th president’s observation of our political system could not have been more correct, the major party candidates this year have been working hard to get the support of those whose professions require they carry guns loaded with ammunition on their hips.

Near-daily assaults on American troops (and civilians) overseas and fear of continued attack here at home have made terrorism and homeland security important issues in the upcoming election.

With the battle heating up for just who will occupy the White House come next January, police officers across the country have a unique opportunity for their influence to count this year more than ever. Making decisions now, with every poll showing the candidates neck and neck, the endorsements of the nation’s police unions do something that endorsements rarely do: they matter.

In May, the International Brotherhood of Police Officers announced amid much fanfare that they are endorsing the presumptive Democratic candidate, Senator Kerry, in the upcoming presidential election.

Shifting from its selection in the 2000 election, when it endorsed Governor Bush from Texas, the group cited the president’s “disappointing leadership” in matters concerning the law enforcement community as the main impetus for its decision.

Although this week the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge, has announced “credible” belief that terrorist attacks are being plotted to disrupt this upcoming election and with the renewed interest in matters of national security at an all-time high, save for the IBPO, none of the other major police organizations has made a decision with regard to which candidate it will support.

Boston police, protecting Mr. Kerry’s hometown, have, to date, not endorsed either candidate. Half a nation away, the union representing Houston’s Finest has also been silent thus far.

The Fraternal Order of Police, the largest police union in America, representing more than 314,000 members nationally, has yet to name its endorsement. According to guidelines in the FOP selection process, the board of trustees has until September 20 to decide.

But individual police officers in New York City, not represented by the IBPO or the FOP, have been discussing the election between calls in radio cars and during meals in precinct lounges since the election cycle began. The political force of the over 25,000 members of the New York City Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, if used correctly, cannot be underestimated.

Not-so-subliminal advertisements have appeared with increasing frequency by both campaigns in an appeal to swing voters with concern over these topics. “Cops for Kerry” T-shirts have decorated the background of any appearance by the Democratic candidate, while a screen behind President Bush is rarely without a catchy phrase, such as “A Stronger America” or “Keeping America Safe.” In such a close race, each candidate takes aim to convince a wary electorate.

If even part of this upcoming election is about homeland security or terrorism, then the police officers of our city have much more to add to the debate than vague rhetorical excess or bland T-shirt slogans. Frontline defenders in the war on terror, they know all too intimately the effects of terrorism because they have stood squarely in the midst of its wake.

New York City police officers have proven themselves time and again on so many fronts. Today, a new challenge is confronted as the process begins to decide who will be the leader of the free world over the next four years. The most important question faced: Who is the best choice to promote the safety of the people of our city and our nation?

Looking for perfect leadership in imperfect times could leave all voters guessing. Yet understanding “tough talk” in the face of dangerous adversaries and the need for controversial reforms (like the Patriot Act) to combat these enemies before they cause further harm to American citizens, Mr. Bush has backed up swagger with substance and words with deeds. The presidency is about decision-making and decision-making is about taking a stand. The president has shown his ability to do just that.

For these reasons, it seems that most grassroots police officers, from my own observations, support Mr. Bush in his re-election effort. In the end, perhaps the police endorsements this year will really be a matter of union leaders listening to the membership rather than the other way around.

New York City cops have never followed an aimless compass, making difficult decisions and showing leadership everyday. We expect nothing less from our elected officials.