Michael O'Connor: After you thank a firemen, thank a police officer

Here’s a tip.

If you’ll be driving around town late at night, especially if you’ll be driving in an area that’s not particularly close to your house, use your turn signals.

My education in public safety took another step forward last weekend after I had the opportunity to be a “side ride” with a police officer.

For most of his shift, I sat in the passenger seat, asked annoying questions, and observed the officer in the performance of his duties.

As with my brief foray into the world of firefighting, I came away with a new appreciation for this group that serves and protects.

I picked a Friday night because it fit my weekend plans and because I thought, what with Halloween weekend and a home game and it being, well, Friday night, we’d be plenty busy.

I use the word “we” loosely, of course. At one point I spent a good deal of time sitting in the car because my presence at the scene would not have been helpful, and another time I wound up sitting at the station because the officer I was with was going to respond to a report of shots fired.

He wanted to be sure I wouldn’t be dragged into a dangerous situation, and I had no reason to argue with him.

Besides, I was witness to an event at the station that was heart rending, but I won’t reveal the details because the person’s privacy in this case is more important than my right to tell you what happened.

We responded to a call in which a mother wanted some neighborhood teens to know she was serious about their staying out of her yard when she hadn’t given them permission to be there.

The officer visited with one of the boys involved, explaining why the boy was wrong and what the consequences could be if his behavior didn’t change. I think, I hope, the boy heard the message.

Of course my presence automatically alters the situation, as does knowing I work for the newspaper, but I didn’t see any indication that the way the officer handled situations would have been any less professional if I hadn’t been there.

Other officers responded to calls we handled, and we showed up a couple of times to help out other officers. All of them acted professionally, whether dealing with a frightened teen or a suspected drunk.

No one gave any of the officers any hassle, either. They might have been stupid enough to be caught, but they were smart enough to mostly be respectful. I hope that’s pretty typical.

I’ve seen intoxicated people on a few occasions — I live a pretty sheltered life — but we dealt with some teenage boys who could barely function. One of them had been driving.

Sends shivers down my spine just thinking about it.

The night included a couple of trips to the county lockup. All I can say is, you don’t want to wind up as a guest in that particular inn — the company’s not very good — and it’s amazing what the deputies who work out there have to put up with. I couldn’t do it.

Hey, I tried substitute teaching once and couldn’t take the smart-mouthed students I ran into, and they were sober. I think.

Which reminds me, after you thank a firefighter and a police officer and a deputy, go thank a teacher.

The officer told me he was glad he had the opportunity to work in Cleburne because it gave him a chance to deal with so many different situations, whereas in a larger town, the area he was assigned to would pretty much determine the type calls he took.

He obviously loved his job, and I’m glad he does because I feel safer knowing he’ll be diligent about his duties.

So what was the tip about? I don’t want to give any secrets away, so let’s just say it’s part of a way officers work to keep you safe.

Thanks for the ride, Brian, and thanks to the rest of the force for your service to the city.

Michael O’Connor can be reached at editor@trcle.com. You can comment on this or any other story at cleburnetimesreview.com.