Why would anyone become a cop these days?
It’s not an unreasonable question.
Their motto is “To protect and serve,” and a lot of people have believed in that, even if events and revelations over the years showed they weren’t perfect.
But lately, it’s gotten rough out there. In the wake of incidents in Ferguson, Mo. and New York City and even Smyrna, Ga., citizens are challenging, maybe more than ever, how police enforce the law.
At a rally in Decatur after an officer shot and killed an unarmed, unclothed man — the latest in a series of heavily questioned officer-involved shootings — protesters chanted in mock unison: “Who do you protect? Who do you serve?”
And yet, people keep signing up to become police officers, to do dangerous work on behalf of others, and to risk criticism for doing it.
The Atlanta Police Department recently announced the graduation of Class 238, welcoming 40 new officers. The group is made up of 32 men and 8 women, with a mix of African-Americans, Caucasians, Hispanics and Asians, the department said.
Ten of the new officers have military experience, and 21 are college graduates.
To graduate, they completed 22 weeks of training at the Atlanta Police Academy as well as 12 weeks of field training with veteran officers. They received training in constitutional law, departmental policy and procedure, hands-on defensive tactics and arrest techniques.
Two of the new officers took time to talk with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about their decisions to join the force.
Ellyce Anderson, 26, is a Snellville native and Shiloh High School graduate.
Daniel French, 26, is a Cleveland, Ohio, native who moved to Atlanta for the job. More than 20 graduates in the current class did so for the same reason.
Here is what they had to say:
Why did you decide to become a police officer:
French: There were several influences. My father is a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army. He set an example for me of being a good public servant and helping people out. That rubbed off on me. And in my college education I learned about the criminal justice system and about the challenges it faced.
Anderson: When I was in college my mom worked in the public defender's office. A lot of things she told me, the stories you'd hear, it was very interesting to me. I knew I would do something in the field. She would tell me stories about certain defendants. I thought, why not be in the front end of it.
What do you think when you hear all these reports about officer-involved shootings where police judgment is questioned?
Anderson: For me, it just makes me think that I have to be on my P's and Q's. But, like an instructor told me, if you have the right intentions you're normally going to do the right thing in any situation.
French: I don't think I've thought about it that much. We recently lost a Fulton County police officer. (Terence Avery Green, a 22-year veteran officer, was shot to death in the line of duty on March 4). I've thought more about that kind of thing. Not the criticism. Police officers are risking their lives on the job. We're out here trying to do something meaningful.
Does the scrutiny of police make you think differently about how you need to do your job?
Anderson: Someone is always watching. If you're doing the right thing or trying to do the right thing it alleviates that.
French: It's about integrity. Doing the right thing no matter who is around.
What have you liked about the job so far?
Anderson: One of the biggest things is that everybody works as a team. You always have backup. Someone's always there.
French: There's good camaraderie. The more officers that work as a team the more they can help each other and approach situations in the safest way possible.
How long do you expect to do this?
Anderson: I see it as my career.
French: I want to do it until I retire.
About the Author
