A police officer has a wide range of duties and responsibilities. The most common one we know of is law enforcement – a picture of capturing the bad guys always comes to mind.
But there are other things they do that we don’t often see in the media – something that others might think are “little” things when they create a more significant effect.
Police as the bad guys
There was a lot of news in the past about police brutality. Movements such as Black Lives Matter bring forth the issues of racism in the hands of law enforcement and others who are in power.
These concerns are very much real and valid. Brute force against lawbreakers is nowhere near excusable; even police officers should be held accountable.
But because of these incidents, society is more angry or scared of the police. Instead of the trust and confidence of feeling safe and secure around them, we start to doubt that premise. How can a state institution rise from that fall?
Police as the good guys
Despite the negative image people have of law enforcement, there are a lot of instances in which police officers save the day. And it’s not only catching the bad guys. It also includes times when they lend a helping hand to others.
Acting Chief Deputy Dan Travous of the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office in Carlyle, Illinois, wanted to prove that point.
He shared a photo of an image of police that barely got highlighted in the news and media. It was a very heartwarming photo of Detective McClaren and a child sleeping on his lap.
Under protective custody
So, what’s the story behind this photo?
Officer Travous said that this child was under protective custody and was under their watch on a Saturday morning. The poor child was exhausted since he was up and awake most of the night.
The officers in their department worked together to ensure the child would feel safe and secure with them. Aside from Detective McClaren, who watched over the child that night, Correctional Officer Litteken shelled out from her pocket to buy clean clothes, diapers, and a stuffed animal for the little man.
The child was under their custody for six hours until a family member took over custody. They also ensured that the child was safe and secure with the said family.
A little praise for a little thing
Officer Travous shared this photo because this is one side of the police department that people don’t often know about. He said that occurrences like this often happen but rarely get a bit of airtime.
Further, he praised the officers in his department and the entire police force for always choosing the professions that allowed them to share and impart their hearts to help their community every day.
The people agreed with Officer Travous and shared their appreciation for the kind officers in Clinton County. Some even recalled the instances when an officer showed them kindness.
Indeed, every sector in our society has its good and bad sides. We just have to learn to look into the good and sow into it so that we can create a ripple of kindness throughout our community.
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