CMPD: Good cops

I try to be evenhanded in my critiques and my praise. Sometimes I become entrenched in social injustices and come up short on hi-lighting the good things that are going on in the world. With all of the unarmed shootings and other police violations, I have overlooked hi-lighting  good officers.

There really are people who go to the police academy with the intention of doing well and helping people. They are often lost in the madness of reports of police brutality and shenanigans. I can
understand, as I happened to work in another hated profession as an attorney. I know that I, and many of my colleagues, chose this profession to help people...but we are outshone by our colleagues who are not so self-less or charitable... So we all get painted with the same brush. (I don't know if good attorneys outnumber bad or bad the good...who knows?  Don't let a title fools you...or change you for the worse.)

Last night, I was pulled over for a traffic violation by the nicest, most helpful officer ever. He was right and I was wrong...but it was an honest mistake on my part. He was informative and very pleasant...I thought to myself... "Why can't every officer be this way? It will certainly cut down the tension..." If all officers were like him...the perception would change quickly! If you treat folks well...they will respond in kind (most of the time.)

Pause: It's funny because I just had a conversation this week w/ two colleagues who practice(d) criminal law. I told them, I've never had an experience with an officer where he just gave me a warning...


Usually when I see lights flashing behind me, I tense up...sometimes I'm scared, other times angered or annoyed. Last night was different. I was leaving my sister-friend's going away dinner, and took a right at a red light.  Little did I realize, there's a sign that says "No turn on red". I seriously did not see it.

So the officer comes up to me and says "Do you know why I pulled you over?" He was smiling. Which made me comfortable. And I laughed and said "No, I really don't."  He informed me of the sign and that it had been put there because of several accidents on that particular road. I told him I honestly did not see it. He asked for my license and registration. He was still smiling. I was laughing and shaking my head at my silly mistake. 

He did his routine rundown and came back to my car and smiled and told me he wouldn't give me a ticket or a warning...and just told me to be careful on these mean streets lol...and have a safe drive home. 

That had to be the most pleasant and disarming interaction I have ever witnessed or been a part of with an officer (outside of our resource officer at school back in the day...lol). What I realized was...he controlled the situation and the interactions we had by just smiling at me when he walked up to my car.

It set the tone for our interaction. I wish I had his name, because I would definitely call CMPD to thank them for having this guy on patrol last night around SouthPark Mall. Actually, I may call anyway. In this climate we need good interactions between officers and citizens. Maybe it will spread and cut down on some of the distrust and hard feelings. 

So thank you officer (patrolling Providence Region 3 last  night)...you made my night!

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