As tensions with police flare nationwide, the Arlington Police Department says it's on them to show they deserve the public's trust. That's why they're getting on board with a growing movement called "Why I Wear the Badge."
As a kid, Vince Ramsour lived next to a police officer. He said the more he got to know him, the more he knew what he wanted to do with his life.
"He was my idol," said Ramsour. "So that's ultimately why I became a police officer. From an early age, that's what I kind of directed my life toward."
Officer Ramsour is now a member of the Arlington Police Department's K-9 Unit — a job he's held for 18 years. He says he can't imagine doing anything else.
"I tell people, there's nothing better than putting a really bad person in jail," said Ramsour.
He's one of the subjects of a new video series the department is putting together, in which officers explain why they chose to serve their communities.
It's part of a nationwide campaign Arlington Police recently joined called "Why I Wear the Badge" – a growing effort to change negative attitudes towards police.
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"If we don't share the stories, then people may not know about the dedication and the hard work their public servants are doing day in and day out," said Arlington Police Chief Will Johnson.
As police chief, Johnson says he gets to see all the good his officers do for the community. He hopes by sharing the "Why I Wear the Badge" pictures and videos on the department's social media pages, the public will gain some of that insight and get to know the officers as people.
"It's easy to not believe that it's people that wear the uniform," said Johnson.
He also hopes the campaign leaves a mark on his officers.
"It also challenges officers to remember why they got into this profession to begin with," said Johnson.
The Arlington Police Department has seen a 17-percent drop in applications this year, which Johnson attributes in part to negative attitudes towards police. He says another positive of "Why I Wear the Badge" could be that it inspires someone considering a career in law enforcement to follow through with those plans.
