#Covid19: The Police officer’s lesson

Positive Minds | Positive Stories | Edition 002

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COVID 19 and its set of measures are sure to stimulate creativity. From the production of masks to tips and tricks to make your days less stressful, it's all there. But I learned my biggest lesson in an unexpected place, at least for me. I didn't expect to learn it, so hard to learn a simple reality. What happened then?

On a sunny Monday morning, I got out of the constraints of working remotely to take care of personal matters. As I was driving my car through an area of human concentration, with a passenger beside me, in an acceptable traffic jam, a police officer beckoned me to park. Like any driver, I was worried for a moment, wondering what I could do. It quickly gave way to the certainties of someone who is up to date... and who knows his rights in a country where, I must confess, they are still respected.

After the customary greetings, the documents of the car and mine were requested. One after the other, the said document remained in the hands of the police officer. After reassuring himself that everything was up to date, this conversation ensues:

• The police officer: Do you know why I stopped you?

• Me: No, tell me, chief. I think I'm up to date (naively and foolishly);

• The police officer: I am arresting you for not wearing a mask.

• Me: Ah? Not wearing a mask? In my car? Windows closed? Who am I a danger to?

Under these circumstances, your brain works fast. Blood pressure rises and, I think, so does adrenaline. I was in trouble. I quickly reflected on the content of the ministerial decision on the wearing of protective masks: I remembered that the decision stated, "in public services, in private services" and perhaps also in the public space.

Continuing the conversation in the wake of my surprise, I recalled the content of the ministerial order and therefore concluded that it did not apply to me. Proud of my demonstration, I waited to see my new police friend debunks in front of such a display of knowledge. With a mischievous look on his face, whose smile I guessed was behind his mask, he quietly said to me: “Come and get your documents at the police station and you will pay a fine”. Then he left.

Stunned, angry, abused, I didn't know what state I was in. So, I got out of my car, well masked this time. I went to where the police officer was with some of his colleagues. Once there, I found myself in the presence of 4 men in uniform, unable to recognize my new friend: they were all wearing mask. One of them, seeing me lost, approached me and asked me what was going on. He seemed nice. I explained to him in detail what had just happened, without forgetting to mention the laws. He listened quietly, and I felt confident. “So, here's a good cop," I thought. What happened next:

• Police officer 2: You were in your car, windows closed but without the mask. Neither was your passenger.

• Me: Yes.

• Police officer: What did you do when my colleague stopped you?

• Me: I swear I did nothing. I just stopped, rolled down the window and answered his questions.

• Police officer: When you rolled down the window, were you wearing your mask?

• Me: um no.

There you go. After a few seconds of silence, I realized that the nerd I pretended to be had just received a masterful lesson. I left in a great burst of laughter (the police officer too, by the way). All of a sudden, everything relaxed, and everything became clearer: as long as I hadn't rolled down the window, I was not in breach of the law. When I rolled it down, to talk to a member of the police force in the course of his duties, standing in the street, the offence was constituted since I was not wearing a mask. So, I could infect or be infected. Lawyers could have long discussions about this, but really, it was brilliant.

The story doesn't end there. But it ended well with a few free tips from my new police officer friends. It was a lot of fun.

Big lesson: You never finish learning. Condescension is the best way to go wrong. You can build even with the most unlikely person, in the most unlikely situation, a positive relationship.

Alway go out wearing a mask.