Positive Police Stories That Will Change Your Mind About Law Enforcement

You’ve always been drawn to careers that let you give back to your community and serve others—but your current job doesn’t fit the bill. You want to spend your working years in a career that makes a difference and allows you enough flexibility to spend time with your family.

You thought a career in law enforcement would be perfect, but the recent run of bad news for police officers has you reconsidering. Despite some recent negative media coverage, police officers go above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis. They devote their lives to the communities they serve.

Don’t let yourself be swayed by negative media stories.

The positive police stories below will give you an idea of the small things you could do each day to help others through a career in law enforcement.

Small acts of kindness that make a big difference

“Police officer” is the answer many young kids give when asked what they want to be when they grow up. Police are real-life superheroes in the eyes of many, thanks to officers like these who go above and beyond their call of duty.

1. “When No One Showed Up to Autistic Boy’s Birthday Party, Strangers Saved the Day”

The police in Osceola County, Florida, saved the day for 6-year-old Glenn Buratti when no one came to his birthday party. The sheriff’s office learned of the situation via Facebook, and they made sure Glenn’s birthday was a celebration he’d never forget.

2. “Police Officers Take Daughter of Fallen Cop to Father-Daughter Dance”

Police officers have opportunities to turn bad situations into good during their off-duty time, too. A group of officers from two departments in Arizona proved that when they escorted the daughter of a fallen officer to her school’s father-daughter dance. These officers transformed tragic circumstances into an opportunity to show a young girl that she’s surrounded by support, even in life’s toughest moments.

3. “Officers Act of Kindness Helps Shoplifter Out of Difficult Situation”

London, Ken., officer Justin Roby took action when he learned that a would-be shoplifter was a single father who had fallen on hard times and was stealing formula for his 6-month-old baby. Instead of issuing a citation, Roby purchased the baby formula himself and gifted it to the man.

4. “Cop Carries Women with MS Down Stairs”

Wayne County, Mich., sheriff’s deputy Mark Bennetts swept a Detroit woman off her feet as she stood contemplating her options to get down a long flight of stairs. The woman, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2000, asked for Bennetts’ help descending the staircase so he picked her up and delivered her into a waiting car.

5. “Police Officer’s Last Act of Kindness Minutes before Death”

San Diego, Calif., police officer Jeremy Henwood bought lunch for a boy he didn’t know, just minutes before the officer was killed in an unprovoked shooting rampage six blocks from the McDonald’s restaurant.

6. “Texas Officer Gives Homeless Man Helping Hand”

Odessa, Texas, police officer Jeremy Walsh gave a homeless man a pair of boots and a bottle of water after noticing the soles of the man’s shoes were worn completely through. Walsh said he sees the man frequently during his patrols and thought he could use the boots more than himself.

7. “Photo of Toronto Cop Mark Borsboom Tying Senior’s Shoes is Touching”

Toronto, Canada, police officer Mark Borsboom helped a sick, elderly man by tying his shoes for him. The photo went viral after being posted on a private citizen’s Twitter and Instagram pages.

8. “California Police Officer Michael Kohr Replaces Little Girl’s Stolen Bike”

Oxnard, Calif., police officer Michael Kohr replaced a little girl’s stolen bike after her mother filed a tear-filled police report. Kohr surprised the family with the bike and even stuck around to help teach her how to ride it.

Are you ready to make a positive impact in your community?

Real heroes don’t wear capes. Police officers make a positive impact in kids’ lives every day, from grand gestures at a birthday party to small acts of service like tying a man’s shoes. They go above and beyond their job duties to become real-life superheroes for society’s littlest citizens.

Are you ready to begin a career that will allow you to make a positive impact in others’ lives? You’ll be able to serve your community both on the job and off in the rewarding field of law enforcement.

It’s time to start a career that will make a difference. You could be the next prime example of a good police officer serving your community. Learn how to get started with a degree in law enforcement.