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Goshen honors Officer Bland for stepping into community outreach
Summary
Chief Miller presented Officer Bland with a commemorative football signed by local boys after a resident submitted video of Bland joining children at play; Bland described community policing as his motivation.
Chief Miller recognized Officer Bland at the Oct. 27 Goshen City Council meeting after a resident forwarded video of Bland engaging with children playing football in the street. Miller described the interaction and said he received a voicemail praising the officer’s approach. A shopper in Mishawaka paid for a commemorative football, which three boys signed and presented to Officer Bland.
Officer Bland described routinely visiting the Cross Street neighborhood, stopping to check on residents and engaging with youth: "I've dreamed my whole life to be a cop ... it's not to take people to jail ... spending time with our youth in our community is just as important." Chief Miller emphasized the value of officers spending time with young people as part of community policing.
The council and audience applauded the presentation. No formal action or policy change was recorded; the recognition was presented to highlight community engagement by a city officer.
