Some people say they were “just doing their job.”
But the Westport Police Department had 3 big jobs on Saturday.
They monitored the massive “Hands Off!” protest on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
Nearby, hundreds of visitors flocked to the Westport Library, for VersoFest.
And not far away, in the middle of it all, was the funeral service for retired Police Chief Ron Malone.
All that is without the normal Saturday Post Road traffic.
Sure, our police officers — including Chief Foti Koskinas, who seemed to be everywhere — were just doing their job.
Police Chief Foti Koskinas, at Saturday’s protest. (Photo/Alan Shinbaum)
But they did it with plenty of professionalism, politeness, and understanding that “To Protect and Serve” are not just words on their cop cars.
They kept the protesters safe. They helped drivers navigate through. They answered questions from visitors. And they gave their former chief the sendoff he deserved.
We are lucky that our police officers — those on patrol and special duties, and those who lead them — do such a good job, “just doing their job.”
They’re the police, sure. But they’re also human.
Saturday was tough. There was a lot going on, with a lot of moving parts. Thanks to the Westport Police Department, those parts all worked together.
Keeping protesters safe, and traffic moving. (Photo/Dan Woog)
(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
