Tom GantertCahokia, IL – Instead of giving a teenage driver a ticket for having an expired tag and having no driver’s license, a Illinois police officer instead took the boy home safely and then drove the boy to a job interview.
Ka’Shawn Baldwin was pulled over by Cahokia Police Officer Rick Gemoules on April 17.
“It was a normal traffic stop,” Baldwin told WICS. “The plates on the car were expired, so that was the reason he pulled me over.”
That’s when he told Officer Gemoules that he knew he was not supposed to drive but thought that the job opportunity was very important, according to KRON.
Baldwin told WICS he was expecting a ticket. When he told Officer Gemoules he was going to a job interview, he then asked the officer for a ride to the interview.
That’s just what the officer did.
“It meant everything to me. It brought my spirits up; it kind of made me happy,” said Baldwin, according to WICS.
Officer Gemoules said that’s part of policing.
“You’re just in a community. You get to see what goes on out here, so you know you have a good understanding. And you know my background, I had a good, I can relate to him. Difficult times sometimes,” Officer Gemoules said, according to KRON.
Baldwin said he now has a job.
“When he said he was going to take me to my interview, that just, took it all the way. Come on, let’s go,” Baldwin said.
The mayor of Cahokia, Curtis Mccall Jr., released a statement congratulating the officer.
“I am very proud of Officer Gemolus and the excellent decision-making and judgment he displayed in helping this young man,” the mayor said, according to WICS. “’Community Policing’ is something we strive for in Cahokia, because it is not always about writing tickets, or sending someone to jail. It is about helping people when we can and building relationships. Job well done Officer Gemolus and congrats to the young man for getting the job!”