Usually when you see flashing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror, your heart sinks. But imagine this: instead of getting pulled over for speeding, a police officer approaches you… to thank you for your kindness.
Across the U.S., some officers are doing just that—writing more citations than ever, not for breaking the law, but for doing something good.
It’s all thanks to a nonprofit called Kindness 911, a group that’s flipping the script on traditional policing by handing out what they call “Kindness Citations.” Instead of punishing bad behavior, they’re recognizing people for doing the right thing—whether that’s helping a stranger, brightening someone’s day, or going above and beyond in quiet, selfless ways.
The idea is simple: when an officer spots someone doing something kind, they issue a Kindness Citation. The recipient can then go online, enter the number from the ticket, and share the story of what happened. Kindness 911 posts their story on social media—and even donates to a charity in their honor.
One touching example comes out of Deschutes County, Oregon, where Deputy Gregory was faced with a dilemma: an injured squirrel was stranded in the road, and she couldn’t leave her post to get it help. Just then, Susan and her son Sam came walking by with their dog. They didn’t hesitate—they offered to drive the squirrel over 30 minutes to a wildlife hospital.
The deputy was so moved by their kindness that she issued them both a Kindness Citation.
“It was wonderful to see the softer side of the police force!” Susan later shared. “It made me want to spread more kindness.”
That’s exactly the ripple effect Kindness 911 is hoping for.
Kindness Citations have also gone to a grocery store worker who paid for someone’s food out of pocket, a custodian who tended to office plants on her own time, and a coffee shop barista who greeted every single customer—and their dogs—with joy and warmth.
From small towns to big cities, these unexpected acts of kindness are being noticed—and celebrated.
“We put this uniform on, and some think we become different people,” said Officer Ed Richardson of the Spokane Police Department, a proud supporter of Kindness 911. “I always say I don’t let the uniform change me. I’m still gonna be that same person who shows compassion.”
Kindness 911 was created to help police and fire departments connect more deeply with the communities they serve. It’s about recognizing real people doing good, and encouraging even more of it to bloom.
At a time when so many headlines focus on division, tension, and heartbreak, this one serves as a gentle—and much-needed—reminder: goodness is still out there. And sometimes, it even comes with a citation number.
