When Police Officers Do Good Deeds
December 14th, 2012
On the Silver Circle Underground blog, we often hold public officials, including police officers, accountable for violating the rights of citizens. Since we live in trying times, it is unfortunately very easy to find stories of corruption or police brutality. Recently, however, some standout peace officers have made news by doing the right thing and engaging in what I like to call “Andy Griffith style” policing. Today, let’s change things up and recognize some police officers who take their Constitutional oaths seriously and care about the people in their community.
The below video was recorded by filmmaker and activist Jason Bermas, who was participating with a friend in the “Opt Out and Film Week” protest against the TSA by handing out flyers at an Albany airport. Shortly after they began distributing their leaflets, a TSA official attempted to stop them and called the police. The bureaucrat then asked the arriving police officers to detain the protesters. Watch as Deputy Sheriff Stan Lenic stands up for the right to freedom of speech and refuses to interfere with the protest, citing the fact that no crime has been committed.
Good Deeds By Police Officers Go Viral
For his actions in the above video, Stan Lenic became an internet legend overnight. Having become a famous, nation-wide symbol of Constitutional policing, he was given a commendation by his superiors. It’s refreshing to see a peace officer giving the Bill of Rights the respect it deserves.
Another anonymous police officer went above and beyond the call of duty a few days ago in Plano, TX. CBS Local is reporting on a story in which an officer helped out a cash-strapped father during a traffic stop. When Hayden Carlo was pulled over for a registration violation, he let the officer know that the reason he was unable to register his car was due to financial troubles and the costs of raising his children. The policeman issued him a citation, but wrapped it in a $100 bill. Though he was honored by his local police department for his kindness, he chose to remain anonymous.
A New Trend in Law Enforcement?
Just a few weeks back, a New York City cop was caught on camera buying shoes for a homeless person. His act of generosity also went viral. Will we see more officers stepping up and going above and beyond the call of duty to protect and serve the community?
While there will also always be LEOs that kill family dogs when responding to house calls or deploy tasers on defenseless people, it’s important that we also honor and recognize those who respect their oaths and help others. Oath Keepers, for example, is an organization for police officers and military veterans who have sworn to refuse orders that abuse their citizens in violation of the Constitution.
Police officers have to deal with the most dangerous people and situations imaginable, so it is easy for them to become jaded and suspicious of everyone over time. Luckily, there are still law enforcers out there who don’t let the streets harden them and who consequently do what’s right when it really counts.
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