CLEVELAND-
The latest events in the United States have left the public perception of police officers changing, whether for the positive or the negative, the fate of the American police officer has never been on the precipice of ending, but in this state of political turmoil, the events that have unfolded have given way to ill-fated feelings, or the complete opposite.
The Republican National Convention has kept Cleveland on its feet for the past four years. Since the announcement of the next home of the GOP convention, Cleveland has resurfaced streets, finished dozens of hotels, created new shopping opportunities and has revitalized the Buckeye’s largest city’s economy.
With the additional of the World title by the Cleveland Cavaliers, the city has been given a lot of attention. Alongside the efforts of police officers, the tragedies have given the city another reason to be vigilant. Not only is the city seeing the city’s population more than double for a week, and the amount of police officers keeping the people of Cleveland, whether permanent residents or residents for a week, has seen more than a doubling in size.
Police officers have volunteered their time for the week to be in Ohio for added security and patrol of the most crowded areas during the high volume days. During the time in Cleveland, there have been officers from Austin, Texas, the California Highway Patrol, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Louisville Police Department and so many others to count.
There are officers donned in black, forest green, navy, blue, white and khaki.
While there are several different states in Ohio serving as extra help, and many different departments showing their pride in different colored uniforms: the police officers that are here are here for the same purpose, to protect those who have traveled to Cleveland in support of the convention, those who oppose it, or the public in the city. No matter the person, the police force is here for added protection.
Walking down the street, there have been states that walk around together and engage in conversation.
Each officer has greeted each member of the public with a smile.
Despite rather heightened points of protest, particularly the burning of an American flag on Wednesday afternoon, the police officers handled the situation gracefully. At times, those of the public reacted angrily, but the officers were able to maintain patience.
The streets remained crowded through the morning, afternoon and evening. Even after the dusk, officers from California, Kentucky, Texas, Indiana and Ohio, and many other states, are waiting against the wall to protect those who are going through the city as well as those trying to cause trouble, anyone walking the streets could find protection, no matter the case.
Officers in California made their journey via plane, and were unsure of the next steps of their path, but were ready to travel onward to the next convention if necessary, and were proud to be here representing their states, as well as representing police officers across the country.
When asked for a comment, officers from Austin, Texas and the Florida Highway Patrol, smiled radiantly, but politely refrained from commenting due to requests to refrain from commenting to the media.
An officer from Austin said it was not for reason of secrecy, just an order, and he was to follow it.
The officers in Cleveland this week were able to respond to uprising, they were able to help with everyday needs, and were here for the added safeguard to those in Ohio.
While there were moments of protest, where each unit walked down the streets, quickly mounted bikes or ran down the corridors of the city, there were moments that people driving through the streets just needed an extra hand.
On Wednesday afternoon, when the sun was beginning to boil and the press was dripping in sweat. Members of the Ohio Highway Patrol, and two members of another department, ran into the street, for what looked like some sort of bust. The officers quickly took the contents of the trunk out, but not for the reason many onlookers believed.
The officers found a spare tire for a man who suddenly had a flat in the middle of afternoon, bumper to bumper, traffic.
Similar to a NASCAR pit crew, these officers quickly responded to a need, and filled the need as quickly as possible. Soon the driver and his family were off to their final destination, but it was the moment that police responded to this need, that showed the people of Cleveland who were watching the extra things these officers do, and do for their love of public service.