5/10/26 S.T 15 M 5/10/26
Today I went to class, I arrived at 9:05. I said salams to everybody and did my 2 rakat of tahiyat al masjid. Then LG told us 2 minutes till we go to the police station. We started packing up and making sure we didn’t leave anything behind, which was always a bit of a process. We didn’t needed to bring anything in the end and only brung our 1 pager. We all shuffled out to the car, and I ended up squished in the middle seat between my sisters, which is never comfortable, but at least we were all together. LG had said we’d be at the police station in just a few minutes, but when we started driving, my dad realized the address LG gave us was off. Sm was on the phone, telling us to turn left, not right, and by then we were all confused, laughing about how the police might have to rescue us from being lost. Eventually, Sm got us on track, and we pulled up to the police station—honestly, it looked a lot less intimidating than I thought it would.
Inside, the first thing we saw was a police officer by the entrance, who gave us a nod and said, “Welcome.” It felt weird being greeted by someone in uniform, and I kept looking around for cameras or something, but it was pretty normal. We walked into a room with a big TV, which had a slideshow running about the police. LG went around and got us all to sit down. He started talking about our group and made a comment about ethnicity, which made me a bit nervous, but no one really reacted. Police 1, who seemed like the main officer for our group, told us to share our background countries. One by one, we said where our families were from—some from Egypt, some from Pakistan, some from Turkey, and even CH, who said his family was from Sudan. It was kind of cool hearing everyone’s backgrounds, and Police 1 looked genuinely interested. Then he introduced himself and two other officers joined in, each giving their names and a little bit about themselves. It was more casual than I expected.
The slideshow on the TV started showing a chart about the police hierarchy. The top was the “big boss”—the chief, I guess—and then all the way down to regular citizens. What really surprised me was seeing volunteers listed higher than citizens, even though volunteers don’t get paid. Police 1 explained that volunteers help out a lot and are trusted to support officers, which is why they’re ranked higher. He talked about different types of police officers, and the slide only had six types. There were Canines, Canine Handlers, Patrol officers, police on the sidewalk—like beat cops—and even police officers on bikes. I didn’t even know police officers rode bikes, but apparently they do, and they’re really fast. He joked about how the bike cops sometimes catch people who try to run away, and we all laughed. It was honestly pretty eye-opening.
After that, Police 3 took over and talked about what police officers carry on their belts and vests. She said the badge was the most important thing, and she held hers up so we could see it. The badge, she explained, is what proves you’re an officer, and without it, you’re not officially on duty. She started listing everything else on the belt: pepper spray, batons, guns, ammunition, a camera, a notepad, handcuffs, keys, and more. She said in training, officers have to experience what it feels like to get hit with a baton or pepper spray, so they know exactly what it’s like before using it on someone else. They don’t do that with guns, obviously, but she said the training is tough, and you have to be ready for anything. I couldn’t imagine being sprayed with pepper spray just to know how it feels, but she made it sound like it was a rite of passage.
Police 2 then led us to the interrogation room. She told us there were no jail cells in this particular office, which was kind of disappointing because we wanted to see one. The interrogation room was for questioning suspects, not holding them. Around the room, there were concrete benches with little hooks attached. She showed us how suspects can be cuffed to the bench. There were three chairs—one for the suspect and two for the officers. The suspect’s chair was bolted to the ground so they couldn’t throw it, which was actually pretty smart. There was also a metal pipe where the cuffs go, and everything was designed to keep things safe and secure. Police 2 explained how the room was monitored, and there were cameras in the corners. She said the room was used for getting answers, not for punishment, and that officers try to be respectful even when dealing with tough cases.
Then Police Officer 1 took us outside to show us a police car. I’ve seen them from the outside before, but getting to actually look inside was cool. The car was packed with gadgets—radios, switches, lights, and controls for everything. The prisoner’s seat in the back was made of hard plastic, and it looked super uncomfortable. Police Officer 1 explained that it wasn’t about making suspects miserable, but about being able to clean the seat easily if someone made a mess. There was a light that could rotate, which was used for checking house numbers at night, and another light for searching inside cars. He showed us how the sirens work, and even let CH press the button for a quick blast—it was so loud, everyone jumped. He said the car was designed to be tough and easy to clean, since you never know what will happen during an arrest.
After all that, we said our goodbyes and headed back to the masjid. I got to ride back with my father, my two sisters, and LG, which made the trip way more fun. LG started asking us questions about the police station and what we learned, even though he already knew the answers. He wanted to make sure we paid attention. When we got to the masjid, LG said our pizza should be waiting upstairs for us. Everyone was excited, but just as we were about to go upstairs, LG called me back and told me to get the pizza from the office. There were four pizzas—two veggie and two cheese. I grabbed the boxes and tried not to drop them, but they were heavy and smelled amazing.
Once we got upstairs, three people presented their Mother’s Day essays. LG listened carefully and said that only one essay was good and on topic—R’s. He said it was because of something that started with a T, but I couldn’t remember what it was. LG was pretty mad about our essays and told us to do better next time. He was also upset that we didn’t come to class last week and said it offended him. Everyone felt a little bad, but LG’s lectures are kind of legendary, so no one took it too personally.
Thinking back, I realized I learned three things from this week’s class:
First, police officers actually like donuts. It’s not just a stereotype Second, we shouldn’t be afraid to approach police officers. They were really friendly and wanted us to know they’re there to help, not to intimidate us. Third, there’s no ethnic border for what jobs we’d like in the future. Police 1 said anyone can become an officer, no matter where they’re from or what their background is, and that was inspiring.
But honestly, the day was more than just facts—it was about seeing police officers as real people. At first, I thought the police station would be scary, full of rules and strict faces. But the officers were chill, making jokes and talking about their families. Police 3 said she became an officer because she wanted to help people, and Police 2 said she liked the challenge of solving problems. Police 1 talked about how important it is to build trust with the community, and that made me think about how much work goes into keeping everyone safe.
The interrogation room itself taught me a lot. I used to think those rooms were just for getting confessions, but Police 2 explained that they’re for understanding the truth. Sometimes suspects are scared, sometimes they’re angry, but the officers have to be patient and calm. The bolted chair wasn’t just about safety—it was about making sure things didn’t get out of hand. Police 2 said most interrogations are just conversations, but sometimes things get tense. She told us a story about a suspect who tried to break the chair, but couldn’t because it was so tightly secured.
Watching the slideshow about the police hierarchy made me realize how many layers there are in the police force. It’s not just officers and chiefs—there are volunteers, detectives, handlers, and even the bike cops who keep neighborhoods safe. That slide, with volunteers above citizens, still sticks with me. It made me wonder if being a volunteer is more about commitment and responsibility than pay.
The police car tour was another highlight. The gadgets weren’t just for show—they had real uses. Police Officer 1 talked about how sometimes the light was used to spot lost pets at night, and other times it helped find missing people. He showed us the radio, which connects to other officers, and explained how communication is key during emergencies. The plastic seat was clever, but he said some suspects complain about it being cold. He laughed and said, “It’s better than carpet, trust me.”
Having pizza at the masjid felt like a reward for everything we learned. Everyone grabbed slices and compared notes on the police station visit. LG kept reminding us to think about what we saw, not just eat. When the Mother’s Day essays were read, I felt a bit nervous about mine, but R’s essay was apparently the best. LG kept using the word “context,” and I think the T-word was “tone,” but I’m not sure. He said we needed to pay more attention to our writing and not just rush through it.
As the day ended, I thought about what stuck with me most. The police officers were real people, not just uniforms. They had families, stories, and reasons for doing their job. The equipment wasn’t just for protection—it was for helping, for solving problems, and for keeping everyone safe. The hierarchy showed that everyone has a place, whether paid or volunteer, and that community matters.
I learned that donuts are definitely a police thing, that approaching officers isn’t scary, and that anyone can become an officer, no matter their background. But mostly, I learned that sometimes, a trip to the police station can teach you way more than you expect. And next time, I’ll double-check the address before we leave, just in case LG gives us the wrong one again.