How did you come to work for the Metro Transit Police Department?
I applied in February of last year. I saw the different programs the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) had and I really like them. I like the Homeless Action Team (HAT), Investigations, the Real-Time Information Center (RTIC). I like the bigger department feel, but it still has a smaller, family-like feel.
Before MTPD, I was with the Columbia Heights Police Department for a few years, both as a sworn officer and in a non-sworn role.
I was diagnosed with leukemia at a very young age. I was in high school, so my community kind of rallied around me, and helped me get through that with my friends and family. So, I wanted to find a way that I could give back. An old school resource officer I knew inspired me, got me into the whole thing. I wanted to find some way to help give back and try to make a difference for my community like they made a difference for me.
What do you do in your daily work and how are you living that mentality of giving back to the community?
I work in the downtown beat so I'm solely in the downtown area right now. How I try to incorporate my reasons for becoming a cop into everything that I do is that no matter what the situation, try to leave things on a positive note. So many people we get called to help are having the worst day of their life, so if you can leave those situations with a smile, a handshake, or a joke, then that’s a win for me.
What’s it like to be a beat officer?
I love being on the beat. You get to meet all the people in the downtown area: the community members, the business owners and their employees, all the different people who work or live there. It’s different than a normal patrol, because you’re building relationships within that area.
I like working the beat, and someday I’d like to join HAT. That’s one of the reasons I chose MTPD because of HAT. We had something similar in Columbia Heights, and these types of programs are so important. I’m glad we’re providing these types of resources. But wherever I go from here within the agency, my goal is to keep learning and growing.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I like to hang with my friends and my family, work out, and go fishing. I love to be out on my boat, it’s so relaxing for me. I like to go fishing up in northern Minnesota, in the Zimmerman area or Monticello. And, of course, there’s my dog. He’s a Black Lab/German Shepherd mix named Riker and I love him. He’s like my son. He’s three years old, and I rescued him when he was only 11 weeks old. He’s super important to me and he’s a really good dog.