A Pittsfield police officer’s trick basketball shot has become a social media sensation. And he says, it’s all in a day’s work.
Last weekend, Pittsfield police officer Darren Derby stopped to play basketball with some kids. He decided to get on his motorcycle to try a moving shot. The video was posted on the Police Department’s Facebook page.
It was brought to our attention that one of our officers participated in an illegal move this afternoon. We are currently investigating whether or not he should be charged with traveling as we're pretty sure this move is not in the play book. #HoopsNotCrime #CommunityPolicing #CommunityMatters
Posted by Pittsfield Police Department on Saturday, March 19, 2016
The shot was good. And so was the reaction. So far, it’s been seen 64-thousand times. Derby says he tries to get to know young people.
“At some point, these kids will no longer turn their backs when the police car comes,” Derby says. “They’re not afraid to waive and come up to the car, because it’s OK to do that.”
And Derby says, since his feet were on the motorcycle, and not moving, he’s not guilty of a traveling violation.
New England Public Radio’s Adam Frenier contributed to this report.