Letter From Michigan Police Chief May Give You Hope

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — In these unsettled days after a pair of deadly attacks on police departments in Dallas and Baton Rouge, precipitated by the deaths of two young African Americans at the hands of white police officers, reassurance that the old “normal” hasn’t entirely been replaced by a bloody “new” normal isn’t easy to find.

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That’s what made a conversation Farmington Hills Police Chief Charles Nebus overheard between a television reporter and an African-American woman and her three grandchildren all the more reassuring.

“I proceeded outside and listened as she told reporters she loves Farmington Hills Police and wanted to celebrate the unity in her community,” Nebus wrote in an open letter to the community. “This kind woman and her three grandsons had spent the entire day obtaining food and bakery donations all over Farmington Hills.”

Krol had chased his dream to become a police officer to Dallas after working for several years as a Wayne County deputy. He was working security at an until then peaceful July 7 Black Lives Matter rally when Micah Xavier Johnson opened fire, killing Krol and four others and wounding seven.

In Baton Rouge on Sunday, 29-year-old Gavin Long, of Kansas City, MO, intentionally targeted and assasinated two police officers and a deputy, further jolting a nation still recovering from the bloodshed in Dallas.

Here’s the letter from Chief Nebus:

Dear Farmington Hills Community:
On behalf of Farmington Hills police personnel, thank you for your overwhelming support. In response to national attacks against law enforcement officers, our residents, businesses and the faith community have showered us with food, baked goods, snacks, desserts, flowers, stuffed animals, cards, emails, calls and Facebook messages.
On Monday night, I had a chance to share the news of this showering of public affection with the mother of slain Dallas Police Officer Michael Krol. I told Mrs. Krol each positive expression is a tribute to her son Michael and the men and women of the Farmington Hills Police Department.
I looked out my window last week and saw television reporters talking to an African American woman and three young men. I proceeded outside and listened as she told reporters she loves Farmington Hills Police and wanted to celebrate the unity in her community. This kind woman and her three grandsons had spent the entire day obtaining food and bakery donations all over Farmington Hills. She told me her name was LUV. How appropriate!
This tremendous support for law enforcement in Farmington Hills is a result of the hard working men and women who serve and protect our community. Their police community connection is why Farmington Hills is one of the safest communities in the country.
Your support of the police lifts the spirit and morale of each officer. Such support is the fuel behind the delivery of superior police services without prejudice or partiality.
— Charles Nebus, Chief of Police