Sunday, April 3, 2016

In the end...

        In the end I learned the steps you take to be a successful, diverse, and honorable officer, are not quick and easy. There are obstacles such as racism and sexism that will attempt to knock you off course. You cannot enter the police force and expect to have respect, it is something earned with time and proof. As you work, your performance proves who you are, not what you seem to be on paper. However if you do chose to push yourself and fulfill the tasks placed in your lap there are benefits that aren't comparable to any other job. At the end of a day, you are a part of the workforce that allows a community to rest peacefully at night knowing justice will be and is being served to the malicious people of the world. I'm excited to work for a band of officers so dedicated to serve the people in the future. Until then however I am even more excited to attend Otterbein University to study criminology and prepare myself for my future. I absolutely cannot wait to jump into all that Otterbein has to offer. Students there in my major have access to programs such as internships with the CPD, the US Marshalls, and various others. I plan to travel abroad, possibly to visit US Embassies abroad as well. While I am a cardinal, I will have access to so many incredible professors and opportunities there is a large chance I may double major in psychology along with criminology. I'm so grateful for my visit to the CPD's Canine Unit and SWAT building, the CPD's Training Academy, and my mentor Whitney Lancaster for my new connections and am dying to jump into my field with my new knowledge.

SWAT Officer Enoch B. White's responses





I enjoy the fact that Officer White has hobbies that involve things I enjoy as well such as coaching and traveling. Since he is able to still have these hobbies, I am confident that if I were to pursue a career such as his own, I would be able to pursue my interests as well even in such a demanding field.

In some ways it is comforting that White has held diverse positions such as patrol, narcotics, motorcycle unit, and swat because it ensures that I would be able to experience different modes of law enforcement as well. Since I've always liked change and desire to experience everything possible this field truly seems like it has everything for me.  

I understand where officer White is coming from, however I feel like there should be more done to encourage minorities to pursue careers in law enforcement. Simply recruiting is not enough, there should be more programs where police officers visit schools and remind them that it is possible that there are cops of color and/or female.  By doing so, the racial demographic will change and become more diverse in time and association with officers at an early age will remind people that an officers main goal is to protect the community, reducing the accepted belief that cops are bad people.

 It's surprising that being CALEA certified does not change the process of evaluation for procedures and policies. He did say it prioritizes professionalism however if only the police departments who are chosen to be held to these high standards are already known for the ability to go above and beyond, what does that say about the departments that aren't? What kind of standards are they held to and are they even close to being high enough? Does this mean there is a greater possibility that those departments are at higher risk to becoming corrupt or producing corrupt officers?

I was not surprised with the amount of high impact artillery the CPD has and was glad to hear how protected our cities officers are. I'm a firm believer in arming the men and women who protect our country inside its walls and I think everything they have is necessary.

From Officer White's answers, I believe the direction I am headed, towards a career in law enforcement, is absolutely the right path. His ability to change his everyday job so often while still operating under the same department aligns with my need for a job that is flexible. Like many other places of employment, especially those that work for the government, there are things that need to be changed: involvement in schools to promote diversity and reevaluation of standards. Officer White's time and information was greatly appreciated and it is because of his openness and flexibility that reassures to me that it is possible to be a police officer that is dedicated to their job, their personal life, and the community. While he did not offer advice in his response, it is clear that in his answers the key to a successful career as an officer is the core set of values known as PRIDE, professionalism, respect, integrity, discipline, and enthusiasm.