It is a tough time to be a police officer. Recent cases alleging police misconduct have caused the profession to be vilified and have resulted in protests and violence in our area and across the country.
Police officers’ actions have never been more scrutinized than they are now with the use of body-worn cameras and citizens using their phones to capture video of police interactions. The clips that become viral are those cases few and far between which cast a negative light on the profession of law enforcement.
But what is often not seen is the overwhelming appreciation of police officers by citizens and communities who are quietly and consistently offering support and heartwarming acts of kindness to show how much they appreciate law enforcement’s presence in their community. Although these acts typically don’t garner headlines like the negative news, they deeply touch the spirit of the men and women in blue who risk so much to protect our communities.
According to Sgt. Jared René, the Greece Police Department has been “receiving tremendous support.” René, who oversees the Community Services Department, says the outpouring of kindness has been “unbelievable.” The GPD has received food, coffee, pizza, donuts, and catered meals. Even K-9 Ryan received a special treat of ice cream from supportive Greece residents. According to René, there has been a steady influx of citizens in the last few months showing their support for the Greece Police officers. “They are going out of their way to thank us for our services,” said Sgt. René. “It’s really nice to hear it and helps the officers feel like they are being supported, especially during this challenging time.”
Chief VanBrederode of the Gates Police Department is also the President of the Monroe County Chiefs of Police. Chief VanBrederode began his career in the Rochester Police Department. He now has over 35 years in law enforcement. He has seen some high-profile national cases throughout his career that have cast a negative light on law enforcement and created much unrest. “When a controversy swells, we do often see an increase in kindness coming from the community,” said Chief VanBrederode. The Gates Police received many handwritten letters and emails from community members expressing their gratitude to the department. They have also received gifts of food, coffee, and sub trays, while Sonny, their Golden Lab K-9, has received dog biscuits. While out on patrol, officers have had residents come up to them, thank them and buy their coffee while in line at local coffee shops. “This is a huge morale booster,” said Chief VanBrederode. The roll call room of the Gates Police Department has a wall dedicated to these expressions of appreciation. “I put the notes and letters we receive up on the wall so they can see them and be reminded that they are appreciated and know that people are supporting them.”
After the RPD incident, many concerned residents called to ask if the Gates PD would be defunded or abolished due to the protest requests. Chief VanBrederode assures that it is not even a topic being discussed in the Town of Gates. He feels that the best ideas often come at times of crisis. “It gives us an opportunity to improve humanizing our department.” In June, shortly after the Minneapolis incident, the Gates PD held a “Hot Dog with a Cop” event. With the help of Barton’s Hots, the Gates PD served almost 700 residents and allowed them to bond with the men and women in blue.
Sgt. Robert Hagen has also noticed an increase of community gratitude at the Brockport Police Department. “Residents of the community have stopped me and other officers just to say thank you, and I say thank you back to them” The Brockport PD has seen an increase in food gifts being dropped off at the station since the summer, and especially in the last month. “Cookie trays delivered by True Blue NY and food trays have been dropped off for us. It lifts our spirits to know that there are people out there who appreciate our presence and recognize what we are doing out in the community,” said Sgt. Hagen.
Chief Nenni of the Holley Police Department and the Albion Police Department has also seen a positive show of support from the communities his agencies serve. “We have been receiving a good amount of correspondence from individuals in the community showing support, including some handwritten letters expressing gratitude. That means a lot, especially when a person goes out of their way to mail us a letter.” There seems to be a general understanding that these are difficult times to be a police officer.
With almost 30 years on the job, Chief Nenni has seen an amazing change in community policing over the years. Community policing service models create a focus on the citizens of the community as the customers. The idea in community policing was that a closer partnership between the police and residents could help reduce crime and make the community safer. According to Chief Nenni, this style policing began to take off in the 1980s and has been steadily evolving and improving since. “When we compare how much policing has improved since the fifties and sixties, we are leaps and bounds better. It is a shame that a few incidents can so quickly tarnish all the good work and reputation of policing. Despite what you might see in the media, I feel the silent majority know our job is hard and support the work we do in the community,” said Nenni.
Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order called “New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative” that requires local police agencies to develop a plan based on community input by April 2021 to be eligible for future state funding. Chief Nenni says, “This is very positive. It allows us to have focus groups and discussions within our community to address issues that may not have been fully addressed yet, ranging from traffic, noise control, racial issues, and any issues that can be improved on. It helps us learn how we can better serve you.”
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Offices have also seen an uptick in expressions of gratitude from the community during these difficult times. Captain Samuel Bell of the C Zone (Ogden Substation) said, “We would get food or baked goods occasionally in the past, but in the past month, we are receiving items from the community almost daily. We have had cookies delivered, dinners, a chicken barbecue from a local senior center, and a pizza lunch from a local church group. It puts a smile on our face during these dark times.” The MCSO has even noticed an increase in support while out on their calls with citizens sending friendly waves, saying thanks, and shaking the officer’s hand. “The cards and letters from the community are hung up in our roll call room to help remind the officers that people in the community do care and support them for the job that they do,” said Captain Bell.
Law enforcement officers have also become a conduit of community service in the towns that they serve. Many agencies, especially those on the west side, have active outreach programs to help connect with citizens of all ages ranging from young children to senior citizens. The myriad of programs the officers volunteer with help forge bonds between the community, businesses, and the officers. The Greece Police Department is active with Healthy Highway, which involves mentoring grade school children to eat healthily, as well as Police Athletic League, where officers coach sports for local children. Many agencies offer Shop with a Cop where underprivileged children go Christmas shopping with an officer. Gates Police Department recently offered a Citizens Police Academy. They also welcomed students back to school with a parade and Chief VanBrederode greeting kids on their first day. In Brockport, it’s not uncommon to see an officer on foot patrol stop to shoot hoops with area youth, or hand out turkeys on routine traffic stops at Thanksgiving. These are just a few examples of the outreach many law enforcement agencies provide to support their communities. In turn, the community is supporting officers through these difficult days with an outpouring of appreciation and many acts of kindness.
Brockport PD has received cookies and many thank you notes, shown below surrounding K-9 Brock.
