[Unedited] Cheri Maples with Krista Tippett

Mindful Policing

Cheri Maples, a former police officer, integrated mindfulness into her policing career, transforming her approach to law enforcement. She realized that mindfulness could soften her heart and change her interactions, even with those she arrested. This shift in energy led to more positive engagements, as she noted, "As my energy started to change, the energy that I got back from other people started to change, even including the people that I had to arrest and take to jail."

As my energy started to change, the energy that I got back from other people started to change, even including the people that I had to arrest and take to jail.

--- Cheri Maples

Maples also trained fellow officers in mindfulness practices, emphasizing emotional resilience over tactical skills. She believed that officers who worked from a place of awareness and compassion were happier and more effective in their roles 1 2.

   

Compassionate Policing

Mindfulness led Cheri to practice more compassionate policing, resulting in better outcomes in challenging situations. She shared a poignant story of a domestic dispute where her mindful approach helped de-escalate tension, leading to a heartfelt thank you from the involved party. "You saved my life that night," the man later told her, illustrating the profound impact of compassion in policing.

You saved my life that night.

--- Cheri Maples

Maples emphasized the importance of balancing compassion with the duty to protect, acknowledging the emotional toll on officers who must make life-altering decisions 3 4.

   

Healing Journey

Cheri Maples's journey into mindfulness was transformative, leading her to deeper personal healing and a commitment to sharing these practices with others. Her experience at a retreat in France was particularly healing, prompting her to envision her colleagues engaging in mindfulness together. "I just started having this image...of my coworkers, other police officers, holding hands and making peaceful steps on the earth together," she recalled.

I just started having this image...of my coworkers, other police officers, holding hands and making peaceful steps on the earth together.

--- Cheri Maples

This vision inspired her to organize a retreat for police officers, fostering a community of mindfulness within law enforcement 5 6.