1. How did you get interested in law enforcement?
In high school, I actually wanted to go into the Air Force, but my asthma kept me out of the Air Force. So, I had to make a decision from there, and I just kind of went toward law enforcement.
2. So, how did you get the Apollo job?
I don’t remember exactly how that happened. I know it was brought up to me, it was mentioned to me if I would be interested in it. I told the person, definitely. Then Rick got a hold of me and it sort of springboarded from there.
3. What’s your title and what does the job entail?
In Elida, I’m the police chief. Here, I’m the commander of the Apollo Law Enforcement Academy. This job entails a lot of paperwork. Basically, I have to fill out all the state forms, send those into the state, make sure everything is documented on the students — that they pass all of their classes. I supervise the instructors and make sure that they have the correct curriculum. The Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy sets all the standards, and everything is set down through the Ohio Revised Code on hours, the curriculum, the minimum number of hours, which is set.
4. How many hours do you work here?
It’s going to vary right now. I don’t even know what an average is going to be. At this point, things are changing through the state with our training and stuff so much that each class now is going to look different. It depends on how much instructing I’ll be doing in the classes, too. I would say at least 14 to 15 hours a week.
5. How many hours do you work as police chief in Elida?
I’m full time there.
6. How do your two jobs complement each other?
Based on my experience through working on the road, working on the street, interacting with people, I’m going to be better able to help instill certain values in new officers, and just the experience of being able to portray to the new guys how things need to go.
7. What kinds of things are covered in the classes?
We cover everything from the history of the American police officer, through defensive driving, firearms. I’m trying to think of some of the actual classes — human trafficking, all your legal aspects of course, the Ohio Revised Code, cultural diversity, and of course, physical training.
8. What do you think will be your biggest challenge in this job?
I really don’t know, but I imagine just being able to take the time and to take the extra step for somebody. Sure, we’ve got a job to do, we’ve got to write tickets, we’ve got to arrest people. Those are just parts of the job, but that’s not all. Every call we go on, we don’t necessarily have to make an arrest. To recognize there’s a deeper issue, on a call, and to be able to get resources for that person. Maybe that’s just drinking a cup of coffee and talking to them for a bit. That’s kind of how I see that.
9. When did you start this job?
I just started diving into it this month. Trying to get this curriculum put into place. The next set of classes start in September. If someone is interested, they can visit the website www.apollocareercenter.com or call Apollo Adult Ed at 866-998-2824.
10. Best thing about this job?
I really haven’t had any interaction with the students yet, but probably teaching. I can share my experiences, and hopefully answer questions and shape the way these people think that’s it’s not all dirty Harry.
11. Are you intimidated at all about teaching?
No, not at all. I’ve already instructed several classes in my job.
12. Do you have favorite classes you like to teach?
I do radar, criminal patrol and firearms right now. Those are probably three of my favorite things.
