When I climbed into the patrol car with Monument Police Officer Dustin Thompson, I expected a quiet morning in a small town. What I found was a department with a lot more going on than most people realize.

Throughout the day, I watched as officers handled everything from routine patrols to unexpected accidents. Calls came in one after another – a traffic stop here, a welfare check there – each one requiring a calm, measured approach. What struck me was how much police work happens in the in-between moments: watching for a vehicle that looks out of place, checking in on a local business or simply talking with residents who wave as we pass.

Thompson told me he enjoys working in a constantly changing environment, no two days are ever the same.

“You never really know what’s going to come through,” he said with a grin as the calls kept piling up.

That unpredictability, he explained, keeps him sharp and makes every shift different from the last. What stood out most, though, was his genuine desire to help others.

“I just like helping people,” he said, and it showed. Whether he was assisting an injured driver or putting in extra work to find a possible missing child, his interactions were sincere and steady.

By the end of the ride-along, I had a new appreciation for how much the Monument Police Department does behind the scenes. It’s a job that requires quick thinking, compassion, and a steady presence — and it’s clear the officers here take pride in serving their community.

Monument may be a small town, but its officers carry big responsibilities. Spending a day on patrol reminded me that public safety isn’t just about responding to emergencies, it’s about being part of the fabric of the community.