An encounter between a University of Pennsylvania police officer and a group of bicyclists is going viral.
An unidentified person called local police and reported that a group of people was blocking the sidewalk with their bikes at an intersection on June 22, ABC 6 reported.
University of Pennsylvania Officer Jenna Ficchi arrived at the scene. When she exited her vehicle, she recognized one of the individuals in the group. It was Rayshawn Washington, an Instagramer who goes by Bike Life Rex, who she had been following on the social media platform.
The two had a peaceful encounter and Washington thanked Ficchi for being kind.
“He looked at me and he said, ‘You know, in 11 years of me riding, this is the first time, you know, cops have actually come up to me and spoke to me like a human.’ And I told him, ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry, it took this long for that to happen,’” Ficchi told ABC 6.
Washington posted a picture on Instagram recounting the events that unfolded.
“So yesterday 40th and chestnut the cops was called on us while I was buying everybody food..but something was different about these cops all 3! They came up and was joking with us hugging us and had amazing vibes didn’t make us feel scared we felt safe…” the caption read.
The post went viral and Ficchi has been receiving positive responses for her interaction with Washington.
On Sunday, Ficchi and another officer joined Washington and distributed McDonald’s sandwiches to community residents.
Washington said that he wants people to understand that officers are “regular people.”
“They just have a uniform on. Just like you wear a suit, you wear a tie — there's no difference. They just wear a blue vest with 'police' on it. When they go home and take it off — in the supermarket– they are a regular person. So I'm just trying to show that they are regular people even in their uniform," he said.
Washington says he hopes to change the negative perspective some have towards law enforcement.
“Everyone has this mindset that all cops are bad. You know, when you see a police officer, you’re ready to clench up and run away,” Washington added. “I’m trying to show them that not all cops are bad.”
