I received a warm and poignant response from Officer Kyle Zyskowski regarding my acknowledgment of his concerned and caring actions that I recently posted. When I first followed up with him and told him about the post, and offered him a copy of my book, he wrote: “I will let my fellow officers know…. A lot of people have already heard about it. I would love a copy of your book… I wish you the best and thank you again for the acknowledgement; it’s not something an officer gets, ever.”
Wow! That last comment hit me really hard. Why is it that an officer never gets an acknowledgment? I can’t believe that there aren’t good people out there in law enforcement doing worthwhile, concerned and helpful things. Maybe we just don’t think of doing it, and should make sure we are open to taking note of the examples of this around us. I had the privilege of training 50 New York Police Department executives a while back, and they, too, expressed their deep sadness at the lack of acknowledgment they felt both from fellow officers and from the communities they served, even when they tried to do their best to make a difference in and for them.
Let’s look for opportunities to let people in law enforcement know that we appreciate them, when they do something helpful and caring. My daughter was thrilled that Officer Zyskowski has just about “cured” me of my weaving while driving habit. She says I have been doing it forever, and liked having the law on her side to get her mother to behave! Thanks again, Officer Z.!
