But this does happen? Like, more than you understand. Just because you aren't reading about it doesn't mean it isn't an hourly occurrence.

I think it was pretty close to a weekly occurrence the sworn officers at my old department helped get a car unstuck from deep snow. One cop and three civilian staffers knee deep in the snow for twenty minutes.

Or voluntarily stopping by the elderly houses and helping to de-ice their stairs/ramps so they don't commit suicide trying to check the mail.

Helping to jumpstart dead vehicles (easily 2x a day), or driving a guy to the gas station so he could fill a jug for his vehicle. Or just giving him a five gallon gift from our supply locker so he can drive himself.

Or spending twenty minutes when it's an easy -30F with 10 mph winds unlocking a car door because you locked your keys inside and the taxi would charge $30. Even though I lost all feeling in my hands after the five minutes and I just want to get inside and never be cold again.

Or the time I was (non-sworn staff) called to bring a set of pliers out to an officer assisting a couple young girls with their vehicles--and he's under the hood fucking with the fuses fixing something.