A career in law enforcement is certainly an exciting and brave one. When working in law enforcement you can never be too sure what your day will bring. You need to be prepared for whatever may come your way, “and don’t forget to laugh,” Alicia Royal, an emergency communications specialist for the Maine State Police, says. There is no doubt that law enforcement is an intense and sometimes scary job, but you still have to keep your sense of humor and look on the bright side.
College students can sometimes find themselves wondering about their future and wondering what career path they want to pursue. Jared Sylvia, a state police trooper, Aaron Folsom, an ECS, and Alicia Royal all say that they were always interested in law enforcement. Sylvia said, “I’ve always had an interest in law enforcement and when I was in school, I had the opportunity to do ride alongs with troopers, which furthered my interest.”
So if there ever were such a thing as a typical day in law enforcement, what would it entail? Folsom says a typical day for an ECS is, “Dispatching state police and local police, along with EMS and the fire department. I also do emergency medical dispatch.” Royal, whose job differs from Folsom’s said her day includes, “Answering 911 calls, providing medical instructions, providing license and registration information to troopers, wardens, etc., assisting the public with relaying a variety of criminal complaints, such as theft, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, traffic complaints, etc.” Sylvia, who is a trooper, said “I patrol in an assigned area in Aroostook County enforcing traffic laws as well as Maine criminal laws. I respond and investigate complaints from the public: for example, thefts, burglaries and domestic violence. I am also a K-9 handler who responds to K-9 requests for tracking and drug searches.”
Working in law enforcement sounds as if it could by scary. So what were the scariest moments Folsom, Royal and Sylvia have experienced? Folsom said, “As a dispatcher, having to deal with emergency medical calls; as law enforcement, being shot at.” Royal says her scariest moment came when, “a girl just delivered a baby.” Sylvia’s scariest moment was, “on the scene of a homicide. The shooter had not been located and there were a number of fire department members and ambulance crews scattered around the roadway, not knowing who and where the shooter was. It was the scariest moment for me, fearing for the safety of everyone who had scattered around the scene.”
With a career that can be frightening, it’s good to always keep your sense of humor. Folsom says his funniest moment was, “working with the fire department to rescue a trapped guinea pig trapped in a floor vent. It turned out not to be a guinea pig, but a very big rat in the floor vent. The guinea pig was fine and in his habitat.” Royal says her funniest moment came when, “a trooper pranked a dispatcher about seeing Bigfoot in Allagash.” Sylvia says his funniest moment happened, “while on patrol, following a vehicle when the vehicle hit a large puddle in the road, a large amount of water splashed out and completely soaked a person walking on the sidewalk. The vehicle pulled over after noticing that the person was soaked and offered the person a ride.”
People interested in a career in law enforcement may wonder if there is any special training, background or education required to pursue that career. Folsom said for his job, “prior experience, working in law enforcement and college.” For her career, Royal said, “good customer service skills,” can be very useful. For Sylvia’s career, “you need 18 weeks of the basic law enforcement program, 10 weeks at the Maine State Police Academy, 14 weeks at K-9 patrol school, and eight weeks of K-9 drug school.”
The three offer these pieces of advice for those interested in working in law enforcement. “Pursue education opportunities offered through high school and college, explore all aspects of public service work,” Folsom offered. Royal gave this advice: “Be professional, polite and treat the general public as you would want to be treated during an emergency. And don’t forget to laugh.” Sylvia offered this advice: “Keep your nose clean and be careful in your younger life. Keep your integrity. Compromising your integrity in your younger life can come back to haunt you.”
