Officer Tommy Norman: Unique Community Policing
This was a website created so more folks could learn about the unique Community Policing in the neighborhoods of North Little Rock by dedicated Officer Tommy Norman.
Content is from the site's 2016 archived pages and other outside sources including Youtube videos and news reports about this officer.
The new owner of the domain registration, OfficerTommyNorman.com, wanted to keep this site live in order that the exception work of Officer Tommy Norman remains visible on the web.
Social media sensation Officer Tommy Norman came to the U of A to discuss his approach to community policing and what it means to be an agent of change.
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Related: My wife alerted me to a new story surrounding Officer Tommy Norman one afternoon while I was online doing a research for a story about new approaches towards the treatment of alcoholism. Think of the number of people you know who have a drinking problem that is serious enough so they ended up in rehab or are trying to follow a 12 step, abstinence free program AND have failed. Doctors in Europe have been prescribing as the primary treatment a medication called Baclofen to treat alcoholism. Unlike 12 step programs in the US that require abstinence such as AA, doctors in Europe are trying a new approach. They say that alcoholism is not a disease, but a symptom of a larger psychological issue. On the other hand you read about how the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as a “chronic relapsing brain disease”. I had found a site online called LifeBac that offers a program which has two components: pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. The pharmacotherapy drug is baclofen. Their approach is designed to turn alcohol treatment upside down by putting the person with the problem at the top, not at the bottom of the treatment equation. Give that person all the tools to succeed, the power to choose their own path, their own goals, and how fast or slow they would like to get there. Give them medication so they control their drinking, not the other way around, a coach to motivate for habit change, a community of similar people to support and access to powerful behavior change programs.
I felt pretty good about my search results thus far, so I then directed my attention to the story my wife wanted me to read about Officer Tommy Norman. P.S. My wife is a big instagram fan of the officer. Well apparently "Everyone's Favorite Police Officer, Tommy Norman, Popped The Question To His Longtime Girlfriend." I have to admit, it is rather nice reading positive stories about cops. I am sure there are many more stories out there. Officer Tommy Norman, however, had discovered the power of social media and made good use of it. My wife was upset when he posted a video about a year ago saying that he could longer post such videos while on-duty. However that wasn't entirely accurate. The North Little Rock Police Department said they did not tell Norman that he couldn't post on social media. The department said they made Norman aware of a policy and any posts had to be approved through the Media Relations Unit. "The department greatly supports the work that Officer Norman has done and will continue to do in our community," the police department said in a statement. And sure enough, Officer Tommy Norman a year later is continuing to post pictures on Instagram with members of the community. After the engagement, Norman posted the following message on his Instagram page -- which is followed by more than one million people across the country, my wife included. "On behalf of our union, we would like to thank each of you near & far who support our love for each other! Last night was magical as I put a ring on it, and to share it with the world was an honor! I love @rosalynd_nicole so much! She makes me extremely happy! I'm thankful for what we share! So many memories! I'm excited for what the future holds! I thank God for sending me an angel!..." A big congrats to Officer Norman and his bride-to-be!
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A Little Background Circa 2016
THE GAME AND HIS SON JUST RAISED $65K FOR A “GOOD COP” IN ARKANSAS
Tommy Norman, community pillar, receives an unexpected bonus
BY EVAN BLEIER Insidehook.com
Finding a silver lining to the recent acts of killing in Minnesota, Louisiana and Texas is nearly impossible.
And while it is important not to let isolated stories of compassion drown out the very real need for social change those acts have laid bare, it is equally important to acknowledge individuals who use tragedy as a foundation for a more open dialogue about inequality in America.
Rapper The Game and his oldest son, 13-year-old Harlem Caron Taylor, are two such individuals.
After talking with his father about what’s happened in the past few weeks involving officers and the communities they police, Harlem decided he wanted to find a “good cop” and do something nice for him.
The teen did some digging and discovered North Little Rock PD's Tommy Norman, a cop with a reputation for helping financially struggling students, dancing in the streets with kids and generally being an all-around standup guy.
Harlem set up a GoFundMe page for Officer Norman using the #AGoodSonForAGoodCop hashtag and, after his dad also began promoting it, the fundraising campaign took off.
The father-son effort has already raised nearly $65,000 for Norman to use to buy items like snacks, drinks and toys to keep in his trunk and distribute to community members.
So who exactly is Officer Norman and who will the campaign be helping?
Every police interaction does not have to be a negative one and Officer Norman is changing that one person at a time. He has changed the way he approaches the community he patrols and is committed to building strong relationships with the residents.
#BRO COPS
by Brandon Wenerd http://brobible.com/
Rapper The Game Has Raised Over $50,000 For ‘Good Cop’ Officer Norman, The Most Inspiring Cop On Instagram
Last week was a painful week for the law enforcement community in America. Even after a week of anger and hurt, there are still wonderful stories of good.
One such story comes from The Game, who joined Snoop Dogg for a peaceful protest in Los Angeles last week. Over the weekend, The Game discovered North Little Rock’s Officer Tommy Norman. Officer Norman is dedicated to community policing, raising a massive following on Instagram by showing off his intimate relationship with the North Little Rock community. The Game wanted to make his presence known to his Instagram followers, so he posted this over the weekend:
The Game’s son, Harlem, was instantly drawn to Officer Norman’s work. So he asked to set up a GoFund me for Norman, donating the first $1,000 himself. Here’s how The Game announced it on Instagram:
Good morning world…… So as I told you yesterday, I had conversations with my oldest son @hvrlemtaylor about good cops & bad ones & he did his research & found officer @tnorman23’s page & i was touched by how active he is in the black community where he polices. My son said, how does he help all of these kids & stuff, is he rich ??? I said I don’t know if he’s rich but sometimes it doesn’t take much to help those in need son…… Being that my son is on vacation with his mother visiting relatives in Atlanta, Arkansas & Louisiana he wanted to do something for officer @tnorman23 in Little Rock so he delevoped a #GoFundMe to try & raise $10,000 so that officer @tnorman23 can stuff his trunk with toys, goodies, food & other things to help him continue contributing to the kids & people in Little Rock Arkansas….. (& BEFORE SOMEONE NEGATIVE PUTS IT IN THE COMMENTS BELOW, YES I COULD’VE GIVEN THE 10K MYSELF BUT THAT WOULDVE STOLEN THE JOY OUT OF MY SONS IDEA & HIS COMMITMENT & DEDICATION FOR SOMETHING & SOMEONE HE FELT TOUCHED BY). But as I type, I AM GOING TO DONATE THE 1st $1,000 !!!!!!!! Not only am I proud of my son for taking initiative, I’m thankful that I’ve raised him with such a pure heart regardless of the negativities he’s seen me over come……
In just a day, the GoFundMe is a huge success, raising over $50,000, which will be used “to purchase and deliver items such as snacks, drinks, and toys for him to keep in his trunk, stocked for the kids and members of the community.”
Bro moves around from The Game, his son Harlem, and Officer Norman.
His work is nothing short of inspiring. We should all be a little bit more like Officer Norman — That’s how you make real change in the world.
For the News requesting to set up a interview with Officer Norman please contact Sgt. Brian Dedrick at Brian.Dedrick@nlrpolice.org
For donations please send gifts to: Officer Tommy Norman, 2525 Main Street, NLR, AR, 72114. Please include instructions on who is suppose to receive what
Officer Tommy Norman
I'm a police officer in NLR Arkansas who's committed to changing the world! I love my Arkansas Razorbacks & STL. Cardinals! My heart belongs to Rosalynd!
My Community
I serve a fantastic community in North Little Rock Arkansas with residents who will win your heart.
My mission
"If you can just take two minutes out of the day to go out and make a difference, whether checking on your neighbor if they're elderly, cutting someone's grass, or hold the door for someone. It's really just act of kindness and I think acts of kindness coming from a police officer means that much more to people because that's not something you're used to seeing." - Officer Tommy Norman
Officer Tommy Norman isn't your typical police officer.
HISTORY
Born to parents Modena and Dean Norman, Norman Graduated from Ole Main High School in 1990. Between 1991 and 1998, he worked many jobs in the nursing & mental health field. He worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Riley's Oak Hill Manor Nursing Home. Norman was also a mental health worker at Pinnacle Pointe Hospital (courtesy of interview with Mr. Norman).
Norman is known for building relationships within the communities he works in as it’s called positive community policing. For years Norman has amassed a positive reputation for police officers in North Little Rock, central Arkansas and beyond. Norman’s unorthodox approach to policing includes thousands of video posts, pictures and daily interactive engagement at the Boys & Girls Clubs and the Police Athletic League with those that he protects and serves. He uses social media [Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram] and a variety of ways to inspire the world, a world where too often police are seen in a negative light with brutality, abuse of force and poor relationships with citizens. He is credited for doing things like presenting 50 NLRSD students with backpacks and $50 gift cards from Shoe Carnival in August to purchase shoes, starting the “Shop with a Cop” program to help financially struggling students or just dancing with the children
Update 2017
Officer Tommy Norman Claims He's No Longer Allowed to Post on Social Media While On-Duty
Michael Buckner , KTHV 11:25 AM. CDT June 29, 2017 thv11.com
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - North Little Rock police officer Tommy Norman, who is known for the amazing interactions with the community he polices, posted a video on Wednesday saying that he can longer post such videos while on-duty.
In a video, Norman said he was informed by superiors within the police department that he can not post photos or videos on his social media pages while wearing his badge.
"There's a policy in effect at the police department that prohibits you from posting on-duty that is now going to be enforced," he said.
Norman said he has to respect the decision despite being unhappy with it.
Recently, Norman received an outpouring of support after helping a pregnant homeless woman and her baby while on-duty. He said he had to help the domestic abuse survivor and was amazed by the response of people willing to "make a difference to change this family's life."
"Don't give up on me, I was born to do this," Norman said, before ending the video.
In response, the North Little Rock Police Department said they did not tell Norman that he couldn't post on social media. The department said they made Norman aware of a policy and any posts had to be approved through the Media Relations Unit.
"The department greatly supports the work that Officer Norman has done and will continue to do in our community," the police department said in a statement.
Officer Tommy Norman, speaks at the 2017 Camden Chamber Banquet.
More Background on OfficerTommyNorman.com
OfficerTommyNorman.com serves as a distinctive digital platform dedicated to showcasing the unique community policing approach of Officer Tommy Norman in North Little Rock, Arkansas. This article offers an in-depth exploration of the website, its origins, purpose, and the man behind the mission. It covers the site’s ownership, core goals, history, media coverage, community impact, and the broader cultural significance of Norman’s work.
Website Overview and Ownership
OfficerTommyNorman.com was originally created to allow the public to learn about the innovative policing methods employed by Officer Tommy Norman in neighborhoods of North Little Rock. The website compiles archived content from around 2016, drawing on sources such as news reports, social media posts, and multimedia materials depicting Norman’s commitment to community engagement. Ownership of the domain has changed hands with the intent to keep Norman’s story accessible and visible on the internet, preserving his legacy beyond transient social media trends.
Location and Community Context
While OfficerTommyNorman.com itself exists online, its core identity is firmly rooted in North Little Rock, Arkansas, where Officer Norman carries out his duties. The local community, historically associated with diverse neighborhoods and a mix of socioeconomic challenges, has been the focused area of Norman’s policing efforts. His work fosters a direct connection with residents, aiming to build trust and cooperation within this geographic context.
Mission, Goals, and Website Content Structure
The website’s mission centers on promoting positive, empathetic policing that breaks traditional stereotypes about law enforcement. Officer Norman emphasizes kindness, community involvement, and relationship-building as foundational to effective policing. His philosophy underscores the importance of small acts of kindness—checking on neighbors, helping with chores, or simply sharing a moment of joy—especially when originating from a police officer, whose role is often viewed with suspicion.
The website is organized to highlight several key themes:
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News and media reports featuring interviews, stories, and discussions around Norman’s approach and influence.
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Community highlights detailing how Norman’s efforts directly impact local residents, including charitable actions like distributing school supplies and toys.
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Social media snapshots reflecting Norman’s engagement strategy via platforms such as Instagram, showcasing photographs and videos of his interactions.
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Recognition and awards sections documenting formal acknowledgments of Norman’s community-centered policing.
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Information on supporting or donating to initiatives championed by Norman, demonstrating how the public can contribute.
History and Evolution of Officer Tommy Norman’s Work
Early Life and Career Foundation
Born in 1972 to Modena and Dean Norman, Tommy Norman graduated from Ole Main High School in 1990. Prior to his law enforcement career, he worked extensively in nursing and mental health services, including as a Certified Nursing Assistant and mental health worker. This background informed his compassionate and people-oriented approach to policing once he joined the North Little Rock Police Department in 1998.
The Rise of a Community Policing Pioneer
Norman developed a reputation for pioneering “positive community policing,” focusing on the human connection between officers and citizens. Utilizing social media platforms extensively, Norman documented thousands of interactions, from playful dances with children to supporting disadvantaged youth through school supply drives and programs like “Shop with a Cop.”
His social media presence, particularly on Instagram with over a million followers, transformed the understanding of police work by highlighting joy, empathy, and partnership rather than enforcement alone. This approach stood out amid nationwide conversations about police-community relations and served to challenge negative stereotypes about law enforcement.
Media Impact and Public Recognition
Norman attracted national attention through coverage in various media outlets. His story gained further momentum when high-profile figures such as rapper The Game and his son Harlem publicly supported him by raising over $60,000 to help Norman stock his patrol car with supplies for community members. This grassroots fundraising gesture symbolized the broad appeal and respect Norman’s methods engendered across diverse audiences.
Despite challenges, such as internal police department policies affecting his on-duty social media activity, Norman’s visibility and influence have only grown. The police department officially expressed support for his work, emphasizing his positive contribution to community relations.
Cultural and Social Significance
Officer Norman’s policing model carries profound cultural and social implications. At a time when law enforcement often faces public distrust due to incidents of brutality or misconduct, Norman demonstrates that positive, humanized interactions can reshape perceptions and build vital bridges. His work has been characterized as a beacon of hope, inspiring both police officers and civilians to engage with empathy and cooperation.
Norman’s approach stresses that policing is not limited to crime fighting but includes being actively involved in the everyday well-being of community members. The website reflects this by sharing examples like checking on the elderly, supporting children’s education, and responding to crises with compassion and presence.
Audience and Community Engagement
The primary audience for OfficerTommyNorman.com comprises local residents, law enforcement personnel, community activists, and a global online following drawn by Norman’s social media outreach. The site serves as a resource for individuals seeking to understand or replicate community-focused policing methods. It also acts as a platform for sharing Norman’s ongoing contributions and for facilitating support through donations or participation in community initiatives.
Awards and Honors
Throughout his career, Norman has garnered several accolades recognizing his innovative policing. While specific awards are occasionally detailed within media reports captured on the website, the overall acclaim highlights excellence in community service, dedication to public safety, and the use of social media for positive social impact.
Examples and Insights
Concrete examples from Norman’s practice include:
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Distributing backpacks and school supplies to students in economically challenged neighborhoods.
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The “Shop with a Cop” program, which assists families facing financial hardship during holidays.
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Engaging with youth through organized events at Boys & Girls Clubs and Police Athletic Leagues.
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Using social media posts to humanize police work, show moments of celebration, and share messages of hope and unity.
These instances build a compelling picture of how a police officer transcends traditional law enforcement boundaries to become a trusted community figure.
Press and Media Coverage
Officer Norman has been featured in various media formats including local news reports, online articles, social media narratives, and speeches—such as his address at the University of Arkansas discussing his role as an agent of change in policing. Coverage highlights both the efficacy and uniqueness of his methods, recounting how his approach brings life and trust back to neighborhoods that might otherwise feel marginalized or skeptical about policing.
OfficerTommyNorman.com documents a pioneering paradigm of 21st-century community policing. Through this website, the story of Officer Tommy Norman’s dedication, empathy, and proactive engagement with North Little Rock residents continues to inspire. His journey, from a nurse and mental health worker to a cultural icon in modern policing, affirms that meaningful change stems from relationship-building, kindness, and unwavering commitment to making a positive difference.
By preserving Norman’s work in an accessible digital archive and sharing his ongoing achievements, the website stands as a testament to how law enforcement can reclaim public trust and foster safer, more connected communities in America and beyond.