This week is Police Week, giving us all an annual reminder to thank our officers and staff who work to keep us safe. We usually try to thank all our staff, including Police, more than once a year, but this is the formal week of recognition and gratitude. It’s also when we attend the Pierce County formal service honoring those officers who were lost in the line of duty. Thankfully, none are from Sumner, but they are our friends and neighbors.
As always, our Police Department does great work. In the past few years, they have managed a variety of cases big and small. Some, you’ve already seen in the news, and others, you’ll never hear about. They have added new equipment like body-worn cameras, flock cameras and even a drone. And they have added new programs, like Badges and Boxing, to better connect with the community. We have new officers who are looking forward to a long career here, and we have officers who are taking on new roles as sergeants and even a lieutenant.
I heard once that one of our officers tries to get a compliment after giving a ticket. This is a tall order. No one wants to get a ticket, but this officer was so committed to serving people well that he stubbornly kept that goal. This is policing in a nutshell. None of our staff do this job because they enjoy “busting” people. They’re here because they want to help people and keep people safe. For that, I have to say thank you, during Police Week and every day. To our Police staff, please also keep yourself safe and return home from every shift.
Mayor Kathy Hayden
