I was just discussing Policemans obligations and duties with someone. Lets start with: Doctor, lawyer, Judge, Jury, Marriage Counselor, Plumber, Baby Sitter. Life Guard. The list is endless. But, compassion must be a part of the mix. Caring about people. That was my strength. One day in 1966-67 I was patrolling on Sylvan Avenue. At the end of the street I noticed an old Ford station wagon. It was in bad shape. Enough to do a safety inspection. I pulled the vehicle over on Winthrop Avenue by the cemetery. The vehicle was heading toward Davenport Avenue. An older black gentleman was driving. I was age 30 so everyone was older. He stopped by the cemetery. I walked over to his vehicle and said hello. License and registration please mister. He looked at me and said, I dont have a license but he gave me the registration. Do you have a license mister? Nope, its suspended. No one ever answers that question honestly. No one. They always lie or say, its home or they never had one, making a Policemans job more difficult. In the back seat were 3 or 4 kids, with their little noses pressed against the side window. Are those your kids mister? Yes, Officer. Where do you and your family live? Right there on Davenport Avenue near Orchard Street Officer. He said, can your let my family go home and you can carry me on to jail? Please Officer. (Duty / Compassion). I checked to make sure there were no warrants or wants on file for this man. None, he was clear. This is a Policemans dream. Catching a person driving under suspension. Big arrest, heavy fine in court. Tow his car away. Put him in the paddy wagon. I looked at those kids, Sad and worried about daddy. Their little noses still pressed against the side window. Mister, I said, please get out of the car and stand on the sidewalk with your family. I got in the station wagon and made a U turn and parked on the other side where parking was legal. There is no parking on Winthrop where I stopped him. I gave him his keys and told him to take his family home. But Officer? Youre locking me up, right? If this car is moved from this spot tonight, Ill come looking for you and I will lock you up and throw the key away. Now go home with your family.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 17:55:35 +0000
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