A police officer took to Facebook to share a sweet video of him sitting on a stoop and eating snacks with a group of young children.
The police car, the badge, and the gun are only a fraction of what it takes to prove to kids that you are real, that you are human. As I've expressed before, as a police officer, you can't drive up & down the street for eight hours, with your window up & form a disconnect with the community. Park that car, get out, walk the streets, sit on some front porches & get to know people & their stories. Everyone has a story. I don't care if there are two kids out or two hundred, get out & engage & become a friend. That's the only true way that bridging the gap will take place. And another thing, don't become involved today, and then not show your face for another month. You can't be a fair weather friend. Show your face & be involved every single day. Kids recognize real. Believe that! 🏽🏽🏽🌎🚔 #SummerMemories2K15
Officer Tommy Norman from Arkansas wrote in the caption of the video that it takes more than just being clad in uniform, carrying police equipment, and driving a patrol car to "prove to kids that you are real, that you are human."
"As I've expressed before, as a police officer, you can't drive up & down the street for eight hours, with your window up & form a disconnect with the community. Park that car, get out, walk the streets, sit on some front porches & get to know people & their stories," he wrote in part.
He also encouraged other officers to become a friend to children, and to be consistent in their friendship.
"And another thing, don't become involved today, and then not show your face for another month. You can't be a fair weather friend. Show your face & be involved every single day. Kids recognize real. Believe that!"
The video has amassed more than 2.1 million views, 48,000 shares, and 69,000 likes since it was posted on September 10.