Headlines like “Mob Attacks Police”, “Officer Ambushed in Patrol Car”, and “Officer Attacked While Bystanders Film” reflect a terrible trajectory for society. It can be a small thing like a thumbs up, a friendly wave, or an anonymous payment for a cup of coffee or a meal for an officer. It can also be a life-saving intervention when an officer is being overwhelmed by an adversary.
One of the unfortunate side effects of the professionalization of policing is that ordinary citizens have forgotten that they, too, have a responsibility for maintaining peace. The citizen’s arrest is rarely used but reflects a history of good people taking action to maintain order and hold wrongdoers accountable. Most states have statutes that enable police officers to immediately demand that a citizen assist them, imbuing them with police powers for that moment and releasing them from liability when acting in an emergency.
The NPA provides a one-minute educational public service announcement to encourage bystanders to do something other than videotape an officer in distress. The video clip urges citizens to call 911 on behalf of an officer and ask the officer how they can help, and become a good witness. The video ends with “It’s time to stop filming, and start helping”.
Last year when a San Francisco police officer responded to a threatening male in Chinatown, the suspect appeared to comply but suddenly began to attack the officer and had her on the ground. Bystanders rushed in to assist her, pulling her attacker away and yelling at him to get off her.
In July of last year a Fredericksburg, Virginia officer was attacked when he attempted to arrest a man on possession of stolen property after responding to a call of a suspicious person. Two bystanders saw the officer being assaulted and pulled the suspect away. “If the two individuals watching nearby had not selflessly taken it upon themselves to assist the officer during the attack, the injuries he sustained could have been much more severe,” said Police Chief Layton. “The courage seen by the officer and individuals show we are stronger when we work together.” The officer was treated for a head injury.
In May of this year a Porter County, Indiana officer was attacked by a man wanted for auto theft, punching the officer after the man, identified as Christopher Delgado, lied about his identity and began to resist the officer. A passing motorist observed the attack, got out of his car, and grabbed Delgado from behind, assisting the now injured officer in taking the suspect to the ground and getting him in handcuffs.
In March of this year, Salt Lake City police officers were facing increasing assaults on police and resisting arrests. While making an arrest at the Salt Lake City airport, an officer had a suspect on the floor who twisted away and began punching the officer. Once again, a bystander stepped in to engage with the assailant and helped the office complete the arrest after a lengthy struggle.
It doesn’t take much internet searching to find young boys and girls operating lemonade stands, running marathons, or giving hugs to support law enforcement. Eight-year-old Brecken made national news in 2018 with his lemonade and cookie sales to raise money for the Blue Springs, Missouri police department. His goal was 15 dollars but raised $3000. Whether to buy protective vests for K-9s, to support injured officers, or to fund Shop-With-A-Cop programs, these youngsters bring hope to the hearts of those who fear for the future of our country.
American law enforcement has been heavily influenced by the famed English Home Secretary Sir Robert Peele. Peele instituted the London Metropolitan Police, one of the first of its kind. Peele’s principles have been taught in police ethics and history classes since the mid-19th century. One of those principles is an understanding that the people are the police and the police are the people. This is essential in a democracy where armed agents of the government are representative of everyone’s responsibility to maintain a civil society. In our eagerness to protect the public from having to deal with crime as we professionalize policing, perhaps both the police and the citizenry have forgotten our mutual responsibilities. Thankfully, many are willing to step up and step in to be heroes for our heroes.