Please tell us about how you came to work for the Metro Transit Police Department.
I was working at a financial institution and decided l wanted to be a police officer after seeing what was going on in the community after the killing of George Floyd. My parents marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and always had the attitude that you’re either part of the problem or part of the solution. I joined the Metro Transit Police Department in 2020.
So, just as officers were leaving the profession in record numbers you decided it was your time to get into this field?
Law enforcement can’t be successful without community support, and I thought I could be good at bridging that gap. I have a pretty good track record of connecting with people l come across. I am really focused on de-escalation. It doesn’t always work, but for the most part it does. We’ve gone through so much in this community so it’s more important than ever we have officers focused on building relationships. And things have been improving. We’re moving in the right direction.
What do you do in your current role?
I’m in the West Command’s Patrol Division so am focused on what’s happening on buses and trains in Minneapolis and assisting other agencies as needed. I also assist with community outreach and recruiting, letting students know about our Community Service Officer (CSO) program by visiting schools and supporting open houses here. There’s no place in the country that’s offering a better opportunity – CSOs get tuition support, earn a good wage, and work alongside police officers every day.
What do you like to do when you're outside of work?
I spend a lot of time with my husband and family. Our daughter is a freshman in college, so we’re empty nesters. We have date nights, and go to Timberwolves and Twins games, but I drag him to the symphony or an opera now and then. Decompressing in this job is important. You need to be able to take a break.