LEWISTON — “Thank you.”

It’s a phrase police officers don’t hear often enough.

No one says thank you when they’re busted for drugs, handed a speeding ticket or arrested for domestic assault.

To combat that, “National Thank a Police Officer Day” was founded by Andrew Hale of Chicago. He created the day, which falls on Sept. 20 this year, to recognize police officers across the country for doing a difficult job.

Hearing appreciation from the public “makes a huge difference,” Lewiston officer Joseph Philippon said. “It catches you off guard. It’s very significant.”

A few years ago, he responded to a gas drive-off complaint. A woman came up to him at the gas station. Philippon didn’t recognize her, but she recognized him. Eighteen months before, he had responded to a domestic abuse complaint in which she was the victim.

Thanking him, she told Philippon she followed up on resources he recommended and was no longer in the relationship. “She said, ‘I’m in a much better place,’” Philippon said.

It made him feel good, he said. “Often, we respond, we’re done and move on. We never know what’s the long-term impact.”

Philippon is one of 80 officers in Lewiston. He became a policeman at age 22 after graduating from the University of Maine at Augusta. After working patrol for eight years, he’s now part of the community resource substation on Bates Street.

Police work has its ups and downs, he said. “You never quite know what you’re going to get into.” Much of the job can be negative. “Nobody is calling you because they had a good day.”

He recalled advice he was given when, as a student, he went on a ride-along with a veteran officer. The officer said, “’When you get your badge, everything changes.’ I remember being young and dumb, saying, ‘Yeah, whatever.’”

The veteran was right about the badge, Philippon said.

“I grew up here,” he said. “I went to school here. My friends are still around. But as time moves on, you’re no longer Joe the guy I went to school with, Joe the guy I played baseball or soccer with. I’ve become Joe the cop.”

That means police officers, even off-duty, “have to be aware of where you are all the time, who’s around you, what you’re saying.”

Police are exposed to fatal crashes, drunks, and abused and neglected children.

And the hours can be long. Many patrol officers work from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m., which takes a toll on family dinners and social activities. Many of Philippon’s relatives live out of state. “During my eight years in patrol, I was able to attend two family Christmases,” he said.

But there are perks, he said. One is the team atmosphere, knowing you’re helping your community and making a difference.

“Police officers are problem-solvers,” Philippon said. Law enforcement allows individuals “to go out there and solve issues, to be a part of it.”

In his nine years on the job, the role of police has expanded. They’re called on for a wider array of tasks, wellness checks on the elderly, dealing with people with mental illnesses and out-of-control children, and giving talks about the role of law enforcement.

Some of that represents opportunities.

Police are more likely to get involved in community activities, both on the job and off. Philippon serves as president of the Elliot Avenue Little League in Lewiston. He and another officer last year passed out candy at a Halloween event for children.

“We had a great time,” Philippon said. Children were excited to get candy, meet officers and see a police car up close. The officers also interacted with parents.

“It may not seem like a big deal, but it is a big deal,” Philippon said. “People see you in a different light.”

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The Lewiston and Auburn police departments have a total of 134 officers, and that doesn’t  include Androscoggin County Sheriff’s deputies or Maine State troopers.

The Lewiston Police Department has 80 police officers; Auburn has 54.

Police leaders in both cities said their community is a better one because of their officers.

“They respond and mitigate domestic disputes, solve crimes, lend an ear, help to keep schools safe,” Lewiston Chief Michael Bussiere said. “They build relationships with children, put themselves in harm’s way, triage accident victims, offer advice to parents, evacuate buildings, referee disputes between neighbors, de-escalate crisis situations, and more.”

They work weekends, holidays and are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. “We simply couldn’t effectively function as a society without them,” Bussiere said. “I appreciate everything my officers do to protect and serve our city and its citizens.”

Considering what’s asked of them, “it takes a special person to be a police officer,” Auburn Deputy Chief Jason Moen said.

They work at high personal costs, including missed holidays, birthdays, kids’ games and homework. While investigating horrific crimes and scenes, they are expected to maintain care and compassion. “Our cruisers say, ‘Expect Excellence.’ Our officers live up to that,” Moen said.

He said Wednesday night an Auburn officer came across a young woman and her 8-year-old son stranded in their motor vehicle on a busy street. She had run out of gas and had no money.

The officer bought a gas can and two gallons of gas so the woman could get her son safely home. “That is dedication and compassion,” Moen said. “We could not be more proud of them and the work they do.”