Most people look disdainfully upon police officers. It probably has something to do with the power they possess.

Police are talked about in the same way across the country. Police never seem to be around when you need them. They also seem to take forever to do their job when called. But they always seem to be around to give you a speeding ticket.

Those thoughts are as common as they are wrong. That’s why the University Police’s efforts this weekend are refreshing and should go a long way to convincing others that really are there to serve and protect.

The UPs arrested two NIU students and two of their friends for harassing another student by telephone. The four were also charged with illegal possession of alcohol.

UPs responded after the victim complained she received almost 20 harassing phone calls. The calls allegedly were pretty offending and included violent threats of a physical and sexual nature.

The UPs immediately slapped a tap on the phone. That’s how they were led to those arrested.

Too often the police get the shaft. If they’re not blamed for not doing enough to stop crime they are blamed for something else.

Fact is, a bunch of people are doing a thankless job and taking a lot of grief for it. Hopefully, their actions during the weekend will help chip away at the stereotype.

And maybe others will learn that nothing is harmless.

And help really is only a phone call away.