Gratitude to police officers is showing a public uptick

It’s not easy being blue these days.

A string of deadly attacks on police officers blaze headlines across the nation. Social media sites frequently light up with anti-cop hashtags. Law enforcement officers have been met with suspicion after police shootings like the ones in Ferguson, Mo., and Baltimore.

But while the grim reality sweeps around them, police officers in Olathe and Overland Park are being treated with respect in small, but hugely meaningful ways. Random acts of kindness — whether it’s a handshake or a baked treat — put smiles on their faces.

“It’s hard to hear what’s happening to law enforcement around the country,” said Sgt. Bryan P. Hill, the Olathe Police Department’s public information officer. “Recently, more people have been expressing thanks to officers. During these challenging times, it’s nice to know the work we’re doing in the community is being appreciated.”

One incident that occurred earlier this month went viral around the Kansas City area.

The Olathe Police Department’s Facebook page shared the story of an anonymous officer who had two strangers vying to pay for his meal. More than 1.8 million people viewed the post, which garnered nearly 50,000 likes, more than 6,000 shares and more than 800 comments. (See the post at http://on.fb.me/1O3iaLS)

“Olathe PD is awesome,” one Facebook user wrote. “I have lived here 46 years and have always been impressed with the fairness, equality, care and concern displayed by our officers. It is our honor to buy a meal or coffee for an officer.”

Another user wrote, “We, the citizens of Olathe, are grateful for your services to serve and protect our community. Thank you all, for all that you do.”

And one person also echoed the sentiment of hundreds of others with, “Nice to hear that people are showing appreciation for the men and women who put their lives on the line each day.”

The response to the post is overwhelming for the Olathe police force.

“We’re not looking for any recognition or expect it — we all just go about our day and do our job,” said Hill.

A few days after the Facebook post, Olathe mother Mandi VanGordan took her 2-year-old twin sons, Joseph and Jeffrey, and infant daughter to police headquarters at 501 E. Old 56 Highway with a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies for officers.

“I want my sons to see police officers are here to protect us, not harm us,” said VanGordan. “There’s too many people who think the police are against everyone and it makes me sad. The world needs to realize there are good officers out there and it’s important to just say ‘thanks’ every once in a while because they do have a tough job.”

These gestures of kindness are happening in Overland Park as well.

Gary Mason, the Overland Park Police Department’s public information officer, said he’s noticed an increase in public thanks in the past week.

“People seem to be touched by what they see in the news,” he said. “We have families stop by with baked goods or offering to pay an officer’s meal at a restaurant. Just the other day, we received a handwritten note from a woman who just wanted to say thanks. It’s uplifting to have that kind of support from the community and we’re very appreciative.”

The past year has been difficult for those in law enforcement. Accusations of police racism and brutality, stemming in part from the fatal police shooting in Ferguson, Mo., last August, unleashed a tidal wave of mistrust against police officers in some communities.

As the public focuses on the negative stories, the thousands of police officers who strive to make a difference fall under the radar, Mason said.

“A small portion of bad publicity has been magnified and the image of officers around the nation is being scrutinized under a microscope,” he said. “After 9/11  appreciation for public safety officers was at an all-time high and now we’re at a low. Hopefully we can get out of it because there are a lot of good men and women working hard to earn the public’s trust.”

VanGordan agrees.

“These officers are mothers and fathers, husbands and wives,” she said. “They’re everyday people like you and me.”

As a resident, she appreciates that local police forces in the area go above and beyond the call of duty by taking care of the community in other ways, such as holding prescription drug take-back events and offering personal safety classes.

The Olathe Police Department in particular, she emphasized, is very active in social media, frequently offering safety tips and updates on accidents and crime.

“The Olathe police are very interactive with residents, which is pretty cool,” she said. “It makes me feel safer. I wish more people would focus on all the good things police officers do for us.”

This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 9:25 AM with the headline "Gratitude to police officers is showing a public uptick."