I currently work for the University of Oregon Police Department as a Community Service Officer. I provide safety escorts, access assists, alarm panel response, Vacation Watch, traffic detail, library detail, patrol, low-level reports, disabled vehicle jumpstarts...Just the little things that add to the overall goal of keeping campus safer.
I am using this position as an opportunity to continue testing the waters in the field of law enforcement. Growing up, I loved superheroes and always looked at first responders and military as real-life superheroes. I always knew that if I could play any part in what they do, even something small, it would be such a fulfilling experience. I used to work in the Property/Evidence room in my hometown, and this is my first position where I get to go out and experience some fieldwork. While studying Criminal Justice and English, I also got the chance to run collegiate track and field right next-door at Northwest Christian/Bushnell University. I graduated this past May.
In the past, I have worked a variety of jobs in food industry, retail, and maintenance, whatever got me through school. But nothing could quite compare to the experiences I've had working for police departments. I have appreciated everyone I've worked with. I've always been one of the youngest in all my workspaces, and so I find myself having plenty to learn from those around me. Since I tend to be more on the shy side, this job has also pushed me to overcome that. The number one thing that breaks me out of my shell is someone needing my help. In the future, I'm hoping to explore more careers in the field, but as of late, really like the idea of becoming a park ranger.
For now, I am content with my current role, as it allows me to serve the UO community while getting to work with police. My goal is to show the community that law enforcement is there to help everyone. My fellow CSO’s are all kind, intelligent, and goofy people that know how to be professional in pursuit of our mission to serve.
A little about me is that I grew up in Hillsboro, Oregon and have a mom and little brother over there. I played a lot of basketball, ran a lot of track, and wrote a lot of poems (Quiet Screams and Radio Silence was published last April). I'm engaged, and my boyfriend and I are getting married this summer!
Among my favorite movies are Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith, and Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox and Isle of Dogs. I'm constantly listening to Alternative/Indie/Folk Rock, and Country music, and trying to play it on guitar.
I want to use my time here to get smarter, stronger, and develop a heart to serve.
(April 2022)