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There was no shortage of compassion when a police officer caught a shoplifter stealing an outfit for a job interview in Toronto. Niran Jeyanesan and his partner were called over to a local Walmart for a reported theft. The man in question was 18-years-old, and after Jeyanesan spoke with him, the police officer knew he couldn’t arrest him for stealing a tie, socks, and a dress shirt.
The teen told Jeyanesan that he didn’t have the money to buy clothes for a job interview and wanted to take positive steps towards bettering his situation. "This young person has been facing his own difficulties in life and he was looking to straighten out all that by providing for his family and trying to get a job,” Jeyanesan told CP24.
Jeyanesan felt humbled by the young man’s desire to change his circumstance, so he bought the items, gave them to the teen for his interview, and released him without pressing charges.
The officer told the media outlet that although the teen committed a petty crime, he had clearly made a mistake and punishing him for attempting to better himself wasn’t going to help anyone.
In a circumstance like this, Jeyanesan knew that he had the potential to turn this situation into a learning experience on all sides, and by approaching the teen with understanding and kindness, he could make real difference in his life.
Paul Bois, Jeyanesan's staff sergeant was proud of the officer for showing compassion. "Arresting him wouldn't have been in the best interests of anyone," he said in an interview with the BBC. "I reacted very positively to the news; all issues were resolved by the action the officer took. It reiterates our goal of being positive role models in the community."
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