With so much vilification of police officers in the news I wanted to share another perspective. This blog is all about peace and love and I don’t usually mention hot button news stories. Frankly, I’m out of my comfort zone but I need to get this off my chest. Not all police are monsters. Yes, it boggles my mind that the killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner did not result in an indictment. It smacks are every kind of wrong but this post is about my experience with a
police officer recently in Atlanta who made me examine my prejudices.
I’m sitting in the airport in Atlanta checking email and need to get to the Westin Hotel for a conference. I’d arranged to meet a fellow CWA member to share a taxi. She arrived early and decided to take the shuttle. I’m mulling whether to do the same or take a cab but before I can decide an airport security police officer catches my eye. I ask him about the shuttle and we start chatting.
“Where are you heading?”
“The Westin in Buckhead.”
“What a coincidence. I’m doing a traffic detail a block from there this afternoon.”
I’m gathering my things thinking: is he coming on to me, is he a serial killer, weirdo or simply a nice guy. Maybe I should take a cab.
“My shift ends in a few minutes. I can give you a ride.”
Neuroscientists say we form our impressions about people within seconds. I studied the man in front of me and in a nano second a flash of racist prejudice passed with a flicker of fear. I had to admit: a big, black policeman scared me. What was his motive? In another second, what came out of my mouth shocked me.
“Really? You don’t mind?”
“Not at all. Take a right past the taxi stand and turn the corner. I’ll meet you there in ten minutes.”
I exit the airport and my logical brain is going duh, the taxi stand is right here but I don’t listen and keep walking until I turn the corner. Limos and cars are lined up. Passengers are being picked up by friends. I see a police cruiser but not my police escort. Has he changed his clothes. Did he change his mind. Does he still have a gun. Feeling more foolish by the second, I turn to walk back when Mr. Policeman exits the building and waves me over. We cross the road but don’t enter the police cruiser. Instead we enter a parking garage. I don’t even know his name. As if he smells my fear, he introduces himself and we chat about his job and future plans. Seeing vanity plates on his Corvette melts some reservations. At least he’s not lying about his name. I would have never guessed he’d be the type to drive a Corvette. I have to admit I’ve never had conversations with police officers that didn’t involve traffic violations or worse. But that didn’t stop me from racking up a laundry list of judgments.
The tiny trunk is full odds and ends and it’s clear my suitcase won’t fit without some serious rearranging. He pulls out an open package of malted chocolate balls and offers me the box. I’m hungry and it doesn’t occur to me they could be laced with roofies. I’m snacking while he methodically takes everything out of the trunk and somehow makes room for my luggage. My heart does a micro-flutter once I slide into the passenger seat and he closes his door and I notice he does have a gun. I look at the almost empty chocolate box. The Corvette roars to life and within a minute we’re cruising on the highway and point of no return. I’ve never been to Atlanta and have no idea where we are. He could be taking me anywhere. I ask questions about the city and he points out the buildings on the city skyline and I ask if he’s done this kind of thing before.
“I was a bit worried about you. I mean a complete stranger.”
He’s worried about me when he is a foot taller, twice my weight and has a gun. I smile at the absurdity and we begin to chat about karma, religion, relationships and the world at large. And we agreed our meeting was meant to be; two people acted out of the ordinary, out of their comfort zone but trusted their gut and were richer for it. There is not whiff of impropriety.
We arrive in Buckhead forty lovely minutes later. He pulls out my luggage and wishes me a pleasant stay. I give him my business card but doubt our paths will cross again. There was reason we met and for me it was the opportunity to face my prejudices and the lesson of snap judgments.
Since our brains are hardwired to make snap judgments anyway, we might as well reframe a negative into a positive. I won’t be so quick to label or make assumptions next time. You never know who your next teacher will be. And the “vette was sweet ride.
Out of respect for my officer and a gentleman, I leave all identifying details private.
That was kind of him! I’d have hesitated too, though not for any reasons of skin colour. Just a female (even at my age) alone with a stranger. How lovely of him; good karma! BTW, he has a great smile. I like a man of substance (not obese, just not skinny), with a great butt. LOL. Am I allowed to post this in my comment?
I was at a paint and decorating store a couple of years ago, getting two gallons of paint and miscellaneous supplies. A city cop was in chatting and offered me a ride home (could he do that, in his cruiser?), but I declined, as the bus stop literally was only across the street. It was a nice gesture, though. Maybe he’d never seen anyone take paint home on the bus and I probably looked particularly ragged at the time. LOL.
Anyway, I hope your paths do cross again!
Peace.
I don’t think they’re allowed to when on duty and all comments (other than trolls) are welcome here.
Oh, how nice of him! Stepping outside of our comfort zone is always difficult, even for the big guy with the gun, even though we don’t think about it that way. What a great experience for both of you. (And what a fun car. You sure arrived in style!)
It truly was a blast.