Friendly Officer 'Moose' to Start Service Wednesday
The ranks of the Hilliard Division of Police continue to grow as new measures are added to serve and protect the city.
On Wednesday, June 12, the division’s newest “officer” will meet the public.
Officer Moose isn’t the typical force member- this one can make a 360-degree spin on a dime and shoot a stream of water at the same time.
Donated by the Hilliard Women of the Moose, Chapter 1076, Officer Moose, named for the donor organization, is an interactive radio-controlled police car to be used for public relations, but especially making inroads with the city’s youngest citizens.
Officer Moose is to make an official debut at Police Day June 12 during Safety Town week June 10-14 at Alton Darby Elementary School.
Hilliard Police Chief Michael Woods said after discussing how the WOTM could support the Hilliard Division of Police, he suggested the women’s auxiliary of Hilliard Moose Lodge No. 2236 consider the radio-controlled car.
Manufactured by Utah-based Robotronics, Inc., the police car arrived as a genetic two-tone, black-and-white car with simply “police” on its doors.
But Hilliard’s in-house sign shop went to work on it and transformed Officer Moose into a solid black car with the Hilliard police shield on its doors, creating a “Mini-Me” of the department’s real police cruisers.
For those familiar with Sparky, a radio-controlled fire truck utilized by the Norwich Township Fire Department, Officer Moose will be a familiar counterpart.
Leslie Hedge, a member of WOTM Chapter 1076, said she and other members first wanted to help police by purchasing additional bullet-proof vests but upon learning the division was adequately supplied, spoke with Woods about other measures to support police.
Woods said he suggested the radio-controlled police car because rather than benefitting only police, its use to interact with children will benefit the whole community.
“We can use Officer Moose to help kids become more comfortable with talking to police,” and to educate children about personal safety and many other things, Woods said.
While Safety Town is an event only for registered children, Officer Moose will make other appearances this year at Celebration at the Station events on Thursday evenings at Hilliard’s Station Park, at National Night Out the first Tuesday in August, and other public gatherings in the city.
Hilliard Police Officer Mike Deaton, left, is operator of “Officer Moose,” a radio-controlled police car donated June 5 to the Hilliard Division of Police. Pictured with Deaton is from his left, Karen Bowman, Robin Freeman, and Leslie Hedge, all members of the Hilliard WOTM Chapter 1076, and Hilliard Police Chief Michael Woods.