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Marana officer makes difference, changes view of man on law enforcement after being pulled over

Posted at 9:59 PM, May 23, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-24 17:38:20-04

A man got pulled over two weeks ago by a Marana Police officer and then made a video on Facebook talking about the experience.

Little did the officer know in that short time, she changed this man's view of law enforcement. 

Roosevelt Johnson II was driving around 9:30 p.m. when he got stopped by officer Ashley Espinoza for his tail light out. 

Johnson says he has lived all over the United States and his past experience with officers hasn't been the best. 

"I have been pulled out of my car, slammed back into my car and this is all before like registration and I'm afraid to reach for my wallet," he said. 

However, this recent experience with officer Espinoza was something he wasn't used to. 

"When she came to the car, I mean from the beginning she had this huge smile on her face and introduced herself and let me know you know why she pulled me over and you know asked me how my day was and I am sitting here like I am just blown away," he said. 

"I was blown away by it and not that we go out there to receive a thanks but something this small gesture he did really make me feel like I am doing well at my job," said officer Espinoza.

"What officer Espinoza really did that night even though that is just how she probably is all the time because I can just tell is she restored a lot of my faith in police officers," he said. "I wanted to put something out positive, there is so much negativity in the world and not to sound all buttery but this I think people needed to see that for somebody who looks like me and other men who look like me can have faith in their community."

He says this experience inspired him to use his criminal justice degree to do something in law enforcement one day. 

"I am glad there are still good police officers out there and I am getting a little emotional but that really meant a lot to me," he said.