WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – On a recent Thursday night, Wayne County deputies fanned out across an East Detroit neighborhood in the city’s 9th Precinct as part of the sheriff’s S.C.O.U.T. program — a patrol designed to slow traffic and cut down on crime.
For Corporal Walter Armstrong, the work is as much about building trust as it is about enforcement of the law.
“Make our presence felt, and that’s what we are going to do today,” said Armstrong as the shift got underway around 3 p.m.
Armstrong, a 23-year veteran, said the most rewarding part of the job is simple.
“The best part of the job is, for me, is helping people, making sure that citizens are safe,” Armstrong said.
Residents notice the increased presence.
“Citizens know that we’re there. They put them on Facebook, saying that they see a lot of police presence, and a lot of people tend to obey the laws,” Armstrong said.
On patrol that night, Armstrong pulled over a driver who had rolled through a red light.
After approaching the vehicle and speaking with the motorist.
“Good afternoon, ma’am, license and registration,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong chose not to write her a ticket for the infraction.
He could have written her a ticket, but instead, Armstrong told the driver, “Alright, ma’am. Ok, I’m going to give you a verbal warning, ok? Just make sure you stop at a stoplight. Drive safe.”
When asked how he decides who gets a ticket and who gets a warning, Armstrong responded, “One, she was honest about her actions. She knew that she did it. She told me why it happened. It’s just a feeling.”
Those moments, Armstrong said, often end with appreciation rather than anger.
“And then after the traffic stops, you know, ticket or not, you know, you get a thank you. You know, people often say, ‘I appreciate you being on it.’ You know. And that makes me feel good. I treat them as if that were me in the car,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong emphasized humanity and approachability as central to his work.
“We are all human. You know, I’m not any different than today’s guy. I’m approachable. I’ll talk to you, listen to you, and all that stuff. So, you know, I think that times are getting better,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong said the S.C.O.U.T. program provides ample opportunity to reshape how residents see law enforcement.
On an average Thursday, he makes eight to 15 stops.
For Armstrong, success isn’t measured in tickets written. It’s measured in trust earned.