Please tell us how you came to work for the Metro Transit Police Department
I started my law enforcement career in 2008 with the Minneapolis Police Department. I left MPD just right before the peak of the pandemic and the George Floyd incident. While I was with Minneapolis, I became interested in owning my own business, which was why I left policing to pursue construction and real estate. During my time away from policing, I found myself really missing the work because I felt it offered a better work/life balance for my family and good benefits. I was hesitant to return to the street as a patrol officer for a municipal department. Therefore, I chose Metro Transit because it offered something distinct from residential-style policing. At the same time, it offers excellent work-life balance and benefits.
Please tell us about your day-to-day work for MTPD.
I am designated as a Train Officer, where my sole focus is on the Green Line trains. We’re out on the trains enforcing Metro Transit's laws and rules, providing police presence, and engaging with the community. One of my goals is to be out there on the trains, humanizing the uniform and taking a more holistic stance on dealing with our unsheltered population as much as I can. Things have changed a lot on the Green Line since I started here. I do notice that the call volume has decreased quite significantly. There are fewer people hanging out on the trains committing prohibited acts. From talking with the officers who worked the trains during the pandemic, there’s a lot less negative behavior to deal with now.
How does your work change when there’s less bad behavior to deal with?
It gives me more time to engage with community members, which is great. One of the biggest things that we in law enforcement must focus on is building trust with the community. That’s especially true here in the Twin Cities post George Floyd.
I think it’s imperative that we constantly engage with citizens. Yes, when there is a crime, we must address it. But when it’s quieter, it's not a bad idea to just be out there, engaged with the customers we serve, to foster a positive relationship. That’s community-oriented policing.
What do you like to do outside of work?
My wife and I both love e-biking, walking our fur baby, and fishing with our two boys and cheering them on during their football and volleyball games. My eldest son also fishes competitively, which forces me to get involved, helping him captain the boat while he focuses on honing his bass-fishing skills.
I also love doing little construction projects around the house. I am in the middle of renovating my home, and I find peace in doing all the work myself and at my own leisure.