It's National Thank a Police Officer Day

Back in 2012, the inaugural "Tell a Police Officer Thank You" Day was held on September 13.  The initiative had been started by the Whole Truth Project, an organization with a mission to promote a pro-police message.  That tradition carries into this year, with a growing recognition of the day by the various media. 

Citizens are encouraged to take a moment out of their day to show appreciation for their local officers through small acts of gratitude or by saying “thank you," and businesses are urged to donate something to police departments, like breakfast or coffee.

People familiar with this website may get the impression that I am at least critical of the police, many may get the impression I have bad feelings towards them.  The former is most accurate, as each police officer, each police department, each police action, should be judged without bias for what it is.  I have actually defended a few officers who did the right thing, like a good cop should.

A police officer who goes outside of their authority, uses excessive violence, violates the law, and/or infringes on someone's rights, should be held to account.  A police department that allows such transgressions to occur should also be made accountable by the people they supposedly serve.  Yet, we can see such travesties happening daily, without the officer or his department being answerable to them. 

A day such as this is a good way for citizens to recognize the officers and departments that are making a positive difference in their communities.  They deserve the accolades, when the officers who do not deserve anything other than scorn, receive the press coverage-- and deservedly so.

And thus, to make this day meaningful, we must use our praise discriminately and thank those cops who have really made a positive contribution to our community, while restraining the urge to thank just any police officer that you see.  For all you know, they may be part of the problem. 

It might be nice also to have a day when one could frankly criticize those officers who have behaved badly, without fear of reprisal.  But until then, thank the police and/or thank the chief of a police department if those entities are doing their jobs, and doing so respectfully for the lives, property, and liberty of all of the people they serve.  Thank especially the good cops that have lost their jobs simply for trying to be good cops.  Here's a story of a good cop I recently caught in my news feed: 

This story was shared by a mom in Alabama, who had an officer go above and beyond the call of duty.

ADVERTISING

Not by taking a bullet for her or protecting her from an aggressor, but by doing something just as helpful for this mom: mowing her lawn.  Of course, there’s more to the story.

Rachel Brindley, a mother to a four-month-old, wanted to help her husband. According to her, “He has been working hard on a work project and hasn’t had time to cut [the grass]. It was a nice day out so I thought I’d help my husband out and cut it myself. I enjoy cutting the grass.”

But it’s hard being a stay-at-home mom, especially to such a young child. Unable to leave her four-month-old alone, she carried the baby in her front-facing baby carrier.  Not an ideal situation, right?  So the mom was a little worried when a police car pulled up next to her lawn.

But the police officer wasn’t there to cause any trouble. In fact, he was just there to do what police officers are supposed to do—serve the public.  He insisted on mowing her lawn for her!

Of course, the mother was touched by the unexpected surprise.  She said on her Facebook, “Y’all I thought I was about to get in trouble or something for baby wearing while mowing but this sweet sheriff stopped and insisted on mowing my yard for me!”

When asked for comment, the Chief Deputy of the county said that the officer wanted to remain anonymous, and said “You get a lot more stuff done out of the car—and I’m not necessarily meaning yard work—but…sometimes the car’s a barrier to the public and we encourage our deputies to step outside and make some encounters with the community other than being called to a scene.”

http://www.mommypage.com/2015/09/mom-is-mowing-the-lawn-with-newbor...

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Willy on September 22, 2015 at 10:47am

All good points everyone. Why would any public employee need a day of recognition? The volunteer fire fighter would seem to me to be the most deserving of thanks. The point that Jasper brought out was important and that is why didn't the homeowners hire someone to cut their lawn, even a neighborhood kid.

Permalink Reply by shinblind on September 22, 2015 at 2:13pm

Your right Willy, why would any public worker need a day of recognition.  What they  get is an entire week. May 3-9 2015, Public Service Recognition Week.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/05/02/presidential...

I wonder how long we have to wait until this becomes a paid weekly holiday  for our "Public Servants"?

Permalink Reply by Jasper on September 22, 2015 at 2:46pm

Every day is recognition for some such crazy thing.  Why not just abolish all this 'recognition calendar' and make everyday of the week, month, etc.  This recognition has got out of control.  Every organization, etc...wants their day.  This recognition BS has lost it's meaning!!

http://www.promosontime.com/h/28/recognition-events-calendar.htm

Can't forget the "International Day" of Recognition" either!

http://www.un.org/en/sections/observances/international-days/

Permalink Reply by XLFD on September 22, 2015 at 3:40pm

Did you notice that yesterday was World Alzheimer's Day?

And for the whole week it's National Rehab Awareness Week-- how do you celebrate that?  Abstention from your vices... sounds like fun.

And did you notice that yesterday was World Alzheimer's Day?

Permalink Reply by Jasper on September 22, 2015 at 4:03pm

http://nationaldaycalendar.com/september/

Here is another calendar for national recognition day...This is just for the month of September!  Some of this silly stuff is completely outrageous!

 Monthly and weekly designations follow the daily designations.

September 1

September 2

September 3

September 4

September 5

September 6

September 7

September 8

September 9

September 10

September 11

September 12

September 13

September 14

September 15

September 16

September 17

September 18

September 19

September 20

September 21

September 22

September 23

September 24

September 25

September 26

September 27

September 28

September 29

September 30

Monthly Observations

Classical Music Month
National Mortgage Professional Month*
National Preparedness Month
Hispanic Heritage Month – September 15 to October 15 
Fall Hat Month
Baby Safety Month
Little League Month
Self Improvement Month
Better Breakfast Month
Whole Grains Month
Intergeneration Month
International Square Dancing Month
National Blueberry Popsicle Month
National Chicken Month
National Courtesy Month
National Honey Month
National Mushroom Month
National Papaya Month
National Piano Month
National Potato Month
National Rice Month

Permalink Reply by Willy on September 24, 2015 at 9:57am

Funny X. Jasper, thanks for posting all these memorable days we have to show honor to. Just think, there is an office that is being staffed by a hoard of people who are being paid to think up and puke out all of this propaganda thanks to our hard earned tax dollars.

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