Law enforcement officers have been the subject of intense scrutiny and criticism these days due to the controversial deaths of black citizens at the hands of police around the country.

As a result, cops have been on the receiving end of violent protests and riots, and in the case of Dallas, Texas, a heavily-armed gunman who killed five officers and wounded nine others, plus two civilians, on July 7.

In light of all this, Oxford Village Police Chief Mike Neymanowski went to the podium at the July 12 council meeting to say a few words.

“I want to thank the citizens of Oxford for their support,” he said. “In the last week, I’ve had nothing but positive comments.”

Neymanowski noted how a family brought a box of doughnuts to the station with the message, “We love our police.”

He said a group of young people brought in a poster celebrating Oxford officers that each of them had signed.

“My officers really appreciate those gestures during these times,” the chief told council. “We really do. Myself, too.”

Echoing the words of Dallas Police Chief David Brown, Neymanowski encouraged people “to pray for our officers across this country” to help give them “strength” and “courage” while “protecting our communities.”