Yesterday, I finally threw out the Dunkin Donuts coffee cup which has been moldering in my car for almost two weeks. I was reluctant to toss it. And not because whatever culture was growing in its dregs might prove useful to medical science. No, I was holding on to it for sentimental reasons. It was kind of a souvenir, you see, from my ride along with the Norwich Police.

I first broached the idea of a ride along shortly after taking over the police, fire and court beat from my now-departed colleague, Tyler Murphy. (He’s doing well in Albany, by the way, in case you’re wondering.) I got the idea from Chief Joe Angelino, actually. The chief extended an invitation to my Leadership Chenango classmates and me in late 2009, so it was in the back of my mind for awhile. Now that I’m on the police beat, I figured there was no better way to get a true picture of what happens in the city than to accompany Norwich’s finest on a busy evening.

The chief was happy to oblige my newfound interest in his department. Or at least he was once he verified I would be covered by The Evening Sun’s workman’s comp policy. And had me sign a hold-harmless agreement which, I’m not going to lie, scared the bejeezus out of me.