RINCON — The Rincon Police Department was overrun by a relentless band of mischief makers Thursday morning.

One of the most boisterous members of the group literally ran circles around Lt. Jose Ramirez, who appeared to enjoy every minute of it.

“I love this department and I love this community,” Ramirez said while welcoming about 30 mothers and their noisy preschool children to police headquarters. “I am excited about what the future holds for us and what we will be able to do for kids.”

Ramirez, the department’s acting chief, works diligently to build relationships with citizens of all ages. He spent several minutes discussing that objective with the group known as Effingham MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers).

“I strongly believe the future is our kids — how we deal with them, how we raise them and how to hold them accountable,” he said. “That’s what we are going to try to do.”

Ramirez, who recently withdrew his name from consideration to be Rincon’s full-time police chief, wants to ensure that children aren’t fearful of law enforcement officers. Few of the toddlers showed angst Thursday.

A boy boldly approached Detective Donald Wood and proudly displayed the Captain America logo on his clothing. In response, Wood untucked his police shirt and lifted it to reveal the Captain America t-shirt he was wearing.

The mothers showed their appreciation for the officers’ good will by showering them with cases of bottled water, sports drinks and homemade baked goods, prompting Ramirez to make a joke about gaining weight.

After his opening remarks, Ramirez introduced the audience to arguably his department’s most popular officer — a Belgian Malinois named Cpl. Snitch. In unison, most of the mother and their children said, “Woooow!” 

Led by K-9 handler Brad Hayes, Snitch obeyed a few commands before resting comfortably on the floor, mesmirezed by the children as much as they were mesmerized by him.

See the Oct. 3 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.