A thank you note which influenced my professional career.

A thank you note which has lasted a lifetime, and which has reminded me on many occasion who I am at my core.?

28 years ago, on the 8th of May 1993, I attended to a complaint of disturbance of the peace. It is not your typical story police officers talk about – when reminiscing about the exciting days of heroic action and dangerous encounters with armed criminals.

I’ll never forget the husband and wife who gave me this card. Wherever you are in the World today – I hope you are both well. You will never know the lasting impact your kind words of appreciation made on my understanding of what it means to serve and protect. And going beyond that of seeking out only the glamorous high risk - high stakes newsworthy incidents thought worthy of my attention.

To help another person with what is most important to them, in their time of need is what it is all about.?Never underestimate the action you can take to help someone else – it might be seemingly insignificant to you, but not to the person in need of your assistance.

This note is safely secured together with all my academic achievements, certificates of commendation and newspaper clippings which I’ve collected over many years while in the Police - and is one of the most memorable achievements of my career.

8th May 1993

Dear Officer Bell

Thanks so much for your very efficient service during the early hours of this morning. We really do appreciate the professional way you dealt with the situation. It’s good to know people like yourselves are protecting the public.

Thanks again.