Warren police officers stop to play football with children

WARREN, Mich. (WJBK) - Some police officers in Warren scored a touchdown when it comes to community relations.

A fun neighborhood pick-up football game in the shade got some unlikely visitors during a hot Sunday in Warren on Sept. 24.

"A couple police officers drove by just patrolling," said parent Paula Quarterman. "They turned around; they parked, got out and played were out patrolling, turned around and parked. They started playing football with the boys for about 20-25 minutes."

"I was joking with the police officers when they got out of the car because one of them was taking his flak jacket off," said one neighbor. "I told him you might want to leave that on because these kids are playing some pretty rough football."

Warren police officers, Zachary Lemond and Daniel Rose played football stopped to play football at the birthday party.

FOX 2: "Why do you think the public has a negative attitude about police officers?"

"Because we're not getting out this information," Capt. Cortland Larry, Warren police.

The officers did not go out on patrol with the intention to stop and play with children, but what they wanted to do was meet the community - part of the idea of community policing.

"Under the direction of Bill Dwyer who just got reappointed as commissioner here, he's established that attitude in the department," Larry said. "It is a great time to be a Warren police officer."

And this community policing, football style, seems to be going over pretty well. 

"It shows the world the police are out there for a public service not to cause trouble," Quarterman said.

FOX 2: "This is more than football?"

"It is a lot more than football," Larry said.