Copper offers sweet reward for great driving
A Broome police officer filled with festive spirit has decided to take the carrot approach when it comes to driver behaviour this Christmas.
In a pleasant change from tradition, Broome driver Mariana Shemesh received a festive surprise rather than a ticket after being pulled over by a copper outside the town's Woolworth's supermarket yesterday.
Mr Shemesh said he was making his way round the roundabout outside the store when he noticed a police car behind him.
"I saw the police car … and turned to my partner and made an 'in-house' joke 'ho-ho-ho it's the po-po'," he said. "As I indicate to exit roundabout and pull into a side street, so does the police vehicle and then the lights start flashing to pull over."
Mr Shemesh said he pulled over, winding down his window, wondering why he had been pulled over, swearing to himself and getting quite cross.
"Bare in mind, at this stage my attitude has ramped up a few notches so therefore by the time he gets to the window my first words were 'so, what's up'," he said.
"The policeman introduced himself and said 'I just want to commend you for your excellent driving back there at the roundabout and your usage of indicators, and we want to give you a candy cane'.
"To my amazement the officer hands me two candy canes, and says 'have a merry Christmas'. He then walked back to his car."
The Broome Advertiser tracked down our Christmas elf-like police sergeant, but he asked to remain anonymous, surprised a member of the public had told us about his good deeds.
"For us it wasn't really a police thing, we just wanted to do something nice for Christmas," he said.
"We decided that for one we'd stop some people to reward them for doing the right thing and give them a candy cane."
In a move Santa would be proud of, our charitable coppers also handed out the sweets to children in some of the local parks around Broome.
"We stopped about 20 people all in all", the Sergeant said.
"So after all that, as my wife puts it, nothing is as what it seems," Mr Shemesh said.
"Thank you to the officer who pulled me over and made me feel and absolute fool for my irrational and presumptuous attitude, I am now aware of my faults. But also how awesome I am at driving through roundabouts.
"A merry Christmas to our police women and men and all those in the law enforcement and, rescue and health services - be safe out there and thank you."
