In a swing for a charitable cause, the Johnson City Police Department showed off its softer side on the greens, putting together a golf tournament for the benefit of Special Olympics Tennessee. On Aug. 3, the Elizabethton Golf Club witnessed a throng of golfers—130 to be precise—teeing off to rake in funds for athletes with disabilities. The charitable outing proved to be quite a hit, amassing a respectable $2,164 in donations.

Taking a brief respite from their day-to-day, officers traded their uniforms for polos and khakis. The event has seen a steady growth since its inception in 2016, sprouting from just 10 teams to hosting a substantial 33 teams this year. "We started this event in 2016 with only 10 teams participating. The tournament has expanded, and we had 33 teams take part this year. We held a morning and an afternoon session," JCPD School Resource Officer Tony Ward told, the event’s organizer, Johnson City's own news outlet. Golfers' involvement has not just been about channeling their inner Rory McIlroy; it's a swinging endorsement of Special Olympics' values of inclusivity and athletic challenge.

But don't think that the JCPD's goodwill begins and ends on the golf course. The department has historically plunged into colder and arguably quirkier fundraising efforts, including the Polar Plunge, and has carried the (literal) torch in the Torch Run to benefit the same cause. These officers are as tenacious in their fundraising as they're are on the beat. Last year, their zeal translated into the JCPD being designated as one of Special Olympics Tennessee’s top 10 fundraising law enforcement agencies in the state.

Community engagement by law enforcement can often lead to a more harmonious rapport with local residents. By wielding golf clubs instead of handcuffs, JCPD officers are showing a kinder, more relatable side that often goes unseen amid their daily grind. It's a refreshing reminder that behind the badges are individuals wholeheartedly giving back, and evidently, they have quite the drive — both on the course and in their community commitments.