Joining the Akron Police Department after separating from the United
States Air Force seemed like the next logical step for me. The service had taught me
independent thinking while still working as a team. I learned the value of paid and
continued education and I wanted to contribute to the community where I grew up and to
which I had returned.
While working the streets as a Patrolman in the Akron
Police Department, I had the opportunity to collect evidence and fingerprints from various
crime scenes to which I had been dispatched. I realized the importance of attention to
details and I decided that I wanted to work the evidence side of law enforcement on a
larger scale. Shortly thereafter, I had the opportunity to transfer to the Crime Scene
Unit as a full-time forensic investigator within the department.
Being in the Crime Scene Unit allowed me to expand greatly
on some basic skills I had already developed. People who watch the forensic
science-oriented television shows see how important forensic evidence can be, but you
begin to appreciate it on a whole new level when you can actually "live it".--
Don Frost
Growing up in the city of Akron, I watched many neighborhood changes
take place. I wanted an opportunity to contribute and give back to the city which had
provided so much for me. As a police officer I have been able to dedicate a part of myself
back to the community in a positive way. It has been very gratifying.
As a woman, it is exciting to be an encouraging role model for young
girls in our society. Being a police officer is a demanding profession that requires
dedication to learn and a desire to succeed. Accepting the challenge and making a
difference in the lives of others has been the most rewarding part. --Lauri Natko.
I grew up in a neighborhood on the Westside of Cleveland, Ohio where
crime had woven itself into every fiber of my neighborhood. During those times, I felt
helpless, mainly because I was a child and a female. It was difficult for me to imagine
that as a female, I could actually make a difference by ridding my neighborhood of crime.
I always admired my uncle who was a police officer with the 5th
District. He stated to me that if I studied hard, I could become an officer or work in
some other aspect of law enforcement where I could create a change. As I grew older, and
witnessed drug dealings, prostitution, and other crimes, I was forced to reach down deep
within myself and pull from the strength that had been deeply embedded for so many years.
With that strength, I decided to take a stand. I have mastered the task of many jobs
throughout the police department over the years while earning the respect of fellow
officers. This job has given me an overwhelming sense of pride, and I have grown into a
team player.-- Trevania Bethune
I wanted to have a career that has an uplifting effect on the
community that I serve and live in. In this career you build relationships with your
co-workers that become an extended family away from home. Everyday on the job is never the
same as the day before. It feels good to leave for the day and know that you gave 100% and
possibly made a positive connection in someone’s life. -- Calvin Barker
I have worked as an Akron Police Officer for over 10 years and my
sense of fulfillment comes from helping people that have been victimized. There are some
people that have a negative attitude about the police for their own reasons but there are
many others that consider the police their only source of help. Many times this source of
help could mean saving a life. It is rewarding to know that as a police officer, I have
helped make someone’s life a little better – Yvette Hamilton
Growing up in Akron, I lived near several Akron Police officers. I
saw their love of the job and it had a very positive effect on me and led me to want to be
a police officer.
One of the best things about being a police officer is that the job
can offer many different, yet challenging, tasks. On any given day, police officers can
investigate a robbery or burglary, conduct traffic enforcement, arrest drug dealers, or
arrest a wanted felon. Although the job can be monotonous at times, it is very rewarding
to know I have made a difference in someone’s life—Ken Dies
Joining the Akron Police Department after separating from the United
States Air Force seemed like the next logical step for me. The service had taught me
independent thinking while still working as a team. I learned the value of paid and
continued education and I wanted to contribute to the community where I grew up and to
which I had returned.
Growing up in the city of Akron, I watched many neighborhood changes
take place. I wanted an opportunity to contribute and give back to the city which had
provided so much for me. As a police officer I have been able to dedicate a part of myself
back to the community in a positive way. It has been very gratifying. 
I grew up in a neighborhood on the Westside of Cleveland, Ohio where
crime had woven itself into every fiber of my neighborhood. During those times, I felt
helpless, mainly because I was a child and a female. It was difficult for me to imagine
that as a female, I could actually make a difference by ridding my neighborhood of crime.
I wanted to have a career that has an uplifting effect on the
community that I serve and live in. In this career you build relationships with your
co-workers that become an extended family away from home. Everyday on the job is never the
same as the day before. It feels good to leave for the day and know that you gave 100% and
possibly made a positive connection in someone’s life. -- Calvin Barker
I have worked as an Akron Police Officer for over 10 years and my
sense of fulfillment comes from helping people that have been victimized. There are some
people that have a negative attitude about the police for their own reasons but there are
many others that consider the police their only source of help. Many times this source of
help could mean saving a life. It is rewarding to know that as a police officer, I have
helped make someone’s life a little better – Yvette Hamilton
Growing up in Akron, I lived near several Akron Police officers. I
saw their love of the job and it had a very positive effect on me and led me to want to be
a police officer.