When I went through the Police Academy, this grumpy old cop was fond of reminding us that you don’t get called because someone is having a good day. It took a couple of years to understand that deep down, but I got the message eventually. I didn’t expect anyone to be happy to see me when I pulled up.
I was working by myself on a Sunday morning on the east side of the district. That’s only remarkable, because I was senior enough that I had my own car and steady assignment on the west side. I never stopped moving. My record was 21 minutes from roll call to a felony arrest, aggravated assault with a weapon. Sunday is when you get a cup of coffee and park up to read the newspaper. So, to the relief of my squad, I had parked under a tree by a basketball court. I was starting to get bored when a call came in, “Meet complainant at 1100 Jefferson”.
I pulled up to a church parking lot, figured it would be a report of someone’s car being broken into. I was met by an attractive woman in a Sunday going to meeting hat, that would have made Dr Suess proud and Bartholemew Cubbins despair. I had seen her walking to church earlier, but that didn’t register just then. So, I go strolling up trying to put on a smile that doesn’t make me look crazy. “Good morning, Ma’am. Did you call for police?”
“Good morning officer. I told them it wasn’t important, but I’m glad you’re here. I just wanted you to know that. A lot of us are really glad you and the others are here.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to be appreciated.” It kind of threw me for a second. I almost had an emotion. “What can I do for you?”
“Nothing.” She flashed one of those smiles that means she got just what she wanted, big and bold. “I just wanted you to know we see you out there everyday. At least some of us appreciate you.”
She had called just because she was having a good day and wanted me to know. It wasn’t the first time or the last that someone thanked me. It was the only time that I was dispatched, just so someone could do it. So, I can’t complain anymore that we are never called because someone is having a good day.
The New Word Wars 