In the criminal justice system, my hopes are to use my experience as a police and security officer and change the way in which civilian-officer relationships are framed, not just to repair the reputation in the public eye, but to foster trust and a mutually beneficial relationship through policing the proper way. A law enforcement officer is meant to serve and protect, but admittedly, the perception of the job based on officer’s actions have been skewed and have come to represent the worst of what some police officers have done. However, I am motivated by repairing this and using my knowledge of law enforcement, sociology and the intricacies of police-citizen relations regarding race, sex, gender, age and ethnicity to turn things around.
As a law enforcement officer and a loss prevention officer, law enforcement is a very vested interest that I have. Observation, security and attention to detail are paramount to both jobs, as well as interpersonal skills and even though the jobs carry an inherent risk of danger, potentially life-threatening danger at that, being of service is my top priority and my motivation for working in the criminal justice system. Even in the face of negative media portrayal and strained relations, my motives remain pure to serve and protect all, especially communities who are the most vulnerable.
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I also believe in holding my fellow officers and coworkers accountable for their actions, thoughts and beliefs about communities at large and human rights and dignity. It is necessary that I uphold working for the common and greater good and being a presence in the community that people can trust. My ideal job position is to be hands-on with the community and change their perceptions and taking that experience and evaluating the beliefs of those with whom I work. It is important to be in solidarity with them, but I cannot stand by and allow for unfair treatment to exist and persists without holding those in blue accountable for what they do. My ideal work environment allows me and others tto call each other out on questionable behavior. Camaraderie, in my eyes, is when people close to each other know each other and believe in each other well enough to know that there is always room for improvement and positive change. We cannot hide behind the shields and cars that say “to serve and protect” without actually doing so.
I know that criminal justice has a broad range of potential career interests, jobs and internships. Given the continually changing world and seemingly large epidemic of tragedies, the need for law enforcement at all levels will increase. Today’s job market is competitive and intensive, especially given this political climate, so I hope to serve to repair relationships between people wherever I can. I am most interested in opportunities in the area of restorative justice, allowing for ex-felons to be able to rehabilitate and redirect the course of their lives, while using reconciliatory methods to repair relationships with victims whenever appropriate and the community at large.
Areas that I can see myself serving in that capacity are as a community liaison and victim’s advocacy organizations and positions. Community liaisons take law enforcement into the field and work to help people gain understanding of how different groups react to and interact with (or avoid interacting with) law enforcement, which changes the perception of law enforcement as well. It enhances accountability among citizens and for law enforcement officers who are sworn to uphold the law and protect communities. For victim’s advocacy organizations and programs, advocates can find support for leadership skills and to build a viewpoint about victims other than just pitying them, especially those who feel insulated from crime and wrongdoing for any particular reason.
