By Police1 Staff
MEMPHIS — When Officer Rico Donald was on patrol and some playing children saw him, they immediately threw their hands over their heads as if they were under arrest. But instead of feeling discouraged or ignoring the children, he stopped to teach them about police.
ABC 24 reported Donald drove up to the children and told them they didn’t have to be scared and they were not under arrest. He wanted to make it a teachable moment.
“I was just trying to assure them, you don’t have to be scared of us, we’re your friends,” Donald said. “No matter what you might see, you can depend on us.”
He chatted with them for awhile then threw around a football. Donald told them policing is much more than chasing around bad guys, it’s protecting the innocents.
“Kids cry when the police officers come because they’re scared — it’s like we replaced the boogeyman,” he said. “I need you to feel that if you need me, if no one else comes, I’m going to come. I want them to feel comfortable.”
The mother of the children was grateful for Donald’s actions.
“It made them feel great that he stopped and talked to them,” Jamie Wilson, the children’s mom, said.
Donald said he will continue to reach out to as many people as possible in a positive way.
“I was just trying to assure them, you don’t have to be scared of us, we’re your friends.” - Officer Rico Donald pic.twitter.com/p1EPoRqxhC
— Leah Kraus (@Local24Leah) April 9, 2016
MPD Officer Rico Donald took time out on his shift to explain to these kids that they shouldn’t fear the police. pic.twitter.com/HbOjqkmAk0
— Leah Kraus (@Local24Leah) April 8, 2016