66° and Patchy rain nearby
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Courtesy PD LFP
What made you want to get into law enforcement?
Growing up I watched a lot of detective shows and movies. The idea of investigating a crime scene and figuring out who did it was very interesting to me. Helping a victim with solving their case was something I wanted to do. I wanted to be just like that. So, I started looking into a career in law enforcement. As I got older—and more involved in law enforcement, I learned that TV shows and movies don’t reflect the reality of police work. There’s a lot more paperwork involved and it’s not just catching the suspect. Every unit in a police department has its role to play and it’s not just about the detectives.
What Type of work did you do before entering law enforcement?
Before becoming a police officer, I worked at JC Penney on the loading docks and then in Loss Prevention. While still working at JC Penney, I got a second job working at US Probations as a UA Technician.
How long have you been in law enforcement?
I have been in law enforcement for just over 18 years.
Why did you choose our city to work in?
Honestly, I chose Lake Forest Park because they were hiring. At the time I didn’t even know of the city, but they were on the list of cities hiring in the area and they were the first ones to offer me a job.
What types of challenges do you face on the job?
The biggest challenge I have faced with the job is that law enforcement has turned into a political issue. The media and politicians will make us look like heroes one day and bad guys the next. Law enforcement was never meant to be political. Police officers do their job no matter their politics or background.
Has your job become harder or more challenging over the years?
I wouldn’t say that the job has become harder, it is just different than when I started. From changes in legislation to new technology, there are aways new challenges. We must adjust to what we can work with. Sometimes things become easier and other times they become harder. I don’t think it is any different from other jobs when new policies, new techniques or technologies are introduced.
Are there additional resources or training that you wish were available?
I believe Washington State Police Officers are some of the best trained in the nation. A lot of training is available to us, but the issue arises when we have too much mandatory training that take us off the road to be in the office for training. Training is essential and plays a critical role in developing knowledgeable and effective employees. However, when we repeatedly see the same videos or lectures incorporated into multiple mandatory training courses, it becomes apparent that one or more of those courses exist primarily to satisfy a compliance requirement rather than to provide meaningful instruction.
What will it take for you to stay working in LFP?
I am not planning of going anywhere as I’ve already been here for 18 years and I am attached to this department, but we do need to think about ways to retain the newer officers. To keep our officers, we need to stay competitive with the bigger police agencies that surround us. We will likely never be able to match the salaries offered by larger agencies like Seattle. However, compensation is only one part of attracting and retaining quality employees. We can remain competitive by offering meaningful incentives such as take-home vehicles, retention bonuses, flexible scheduling where feasible, professional development opportunities, and a workplace culture that values and supports our employees. These benefits can make our department an attractive place to build a long-term career, even if we cannot offer the highest pay.
Do you feel valued and respected in LFP?
Yes, absolutely. That is probably the main reason I’ve been here for so long. Not only has the department made me feel valued but so has our citizens. When I respond to 911 calls and I patrol the neighborhoods, I have citizens waving at me all the time. I’ve spoken to officers at other police departments who are amazed to hear that people actually wave and are happy that we are there.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I would encourage people who are interested in what we do to sign up for the Community Police Academy. You will get a very different perspective of what we do and learn why we do it.
(Editor's note): Sgt. Walker is correct; the Community Police Academy will give you a very different perspective of what we do and why we do it based on my assessment of having attended.
