WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — The Western Springs Police Department, like any department, faces its share of unpleasant and difficult situations. That's inevitable in law enforcement. But on Christmas Day, the department shared the lighter side of its work, saying it was important to let the public know about the things that make its officers smile.

"One of our officers went to assist another agency this morning and was met on the way out by a young girl," the department said in a post on its Facebook page. "The girl said that she wanted to share the candy canes Santa brought her because we were working and couldn't see our families."

The post continued, "She knew we couldn't open our presents and she didn't think that was fair. Sharing hers was her way of making it better. It made our officer smile, and it should make us all smile because that's what the holidays are about."