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Horrific incidents like the Jan. 10 death of Tyre Nichols resulting from an encounter with Memphis, Tenn., police put pressure on law enforcement departments across America not to fall victim to similar tragic circumstances and outcomes.
It remains the opinion of millions of Americans that despite the Memphis department's correct moves in the aftermath of Nichols' death, department leaders and the elected officials who oversee it erred seriously by not monitoring the work and attitudes closely enough of officers assigned to the department unit in question.
Now, unfortunately, good police who pride themselves on professionalism, self-discipline, self-control and solid judgment -- the attributes on display daily in departments across Blair County -- are in too many instances in this country being looked upon suspiciously, with eroded confidence and generally decreased respect.
But, amid all that, Mirror readers this week received a couple of glimpses of upbeat vision and attitudes within the overall scope of police work here that too often become lost within the daily drumbeat of crimes, arrests, court trials and sentencings.
Hopefully, readers will continue to reflect on those glimpses as they continue to exude relief that terrible situations like the one in Memphis and, before that, in places such as Ferguson, Missouri; Oakland, California; New York; and Baltimore, Maryland; have not "visited" cities or other jurisdictions in close proximity to Altoona.
The glimpses referred to above help to explain why.
"New chief seeking closer ties to public" was a front-page headline in the Mirror's Jan. 30 edition. Beside that article was a photo and article dealing with a Polar Plunge that raised $100,000 for Special Olympics -- an event in which officers of the Altoona Police Department were among the approximately 250 participants.
First, about closer police ties to the general public:
Logan Township's new chief, Dave Hoover, has the right idea in advocating that his department's personnel interact with the community not only regarding the criminal behavior with which they unfortunately have to deal, but also within the daily course of law-abiding, positive and meaningful activities in which residents engage.
"I want to focus on having the guys get out into the community," Hoover said.
Noting Logan officers will be speaking with business owners, citizens and children in schools, he said officers already had begun walking through the Logan Valley Mall, and visiting schools to arrange activities such as having lunch with students and allowing students to see the K9 unit.
Hoover was correct in emphasizing that it makes sense for young people to get to know police in non-threatening situations.
Likewise with Altoona police officers' participation in the Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics.
That participation demonstrated that they are good people not only working with the goal of making their city better and safer, but that they also are willing to go above and beyond that work to forge a positive relationship with the citizenry, fostering understanding and mutual respect.
Understanding and mutual respect are part of the foundation that can help prevent, over the short term and long term, incidents such as what occurred in Memphis.
People who encounter officers during these special interactions should not be shy about talking with them, asking questions, and divulging their thoughts and concerns.