Answering the Call: Meet Issa Jama

Let’s start off with your name.

My name is Issa Jama.

What is one of your greatest strengths?

My greatest strength is communication. I like to have conversations about certain things.

What is your weakness?

I will say I easily get distracted.

Fun facts about you. What is your favorite color and meal?

Red and black. Favorite meal is Sambusa rice and chicken.

What are three words you would describe yourself as a person?

I will say kind, focused, and entertaining.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself being successful and helping my mother. I also see myself traveling.

Entering law enforcement right after high school requires a different level of maturity. Did you have any family influences in policing or serving the city, or are you the first to choose this career path?

I will be the first to have this career in my family.

What was the exact moment you realized that this is the career you want?

A recruiter came and spoke at our school and shared all the benefits of choosing this career path.

When did you meet the recruiter?

February of this year.

If the recruiter never came to speak at your school, would you take a year gap from college or are you not planning on going to college?

I would have taken a gap year to figure out what I wanted to do.

What are you hoping to learn or gain from this job?

I want to experience what happens in the real world.

What skills are you most excited to learn, and how will you use them later?

I would say my communication skills.

How are you going to use this skill?

Speaking up on problems.

Would you describe yourself as a team player or leader or both?

I would say I am a team player and a leader because I talk people into doing better.

Did you feel rushed to pick your career?

No, I didn’t feel rushed in picking my career.

What would have been your plan if you switched?

I would have gone to Columbus State for two years to get my associate, then go to Ohio State to get my bachelor’s in criminal justice.

When you become a police officer, what would you do after getting your degree in Criminal Justice?

Attend Law school.

Rebuilding trust between youth and law enforcement is a major priority across cities right now. Once you join, how do you plan to help strengthen and build that trust?

I would convince people to join. I hear people around me saying bad stuff about the police. It’s because those people are doing bad stuff; I grew up with people who want to be gangbangers. I want to change that. I want to thank my mom for taking me off the street. It wasn’t like I was on the street, but I was living in a bad area, in bad condition. She didn’t want us to see that.

What would you say to peers your age who are worried about policing because of recent events?

People my age should try to communicate with police more and not listen to the negative story about policing.

What community issues do you want to address as a future officer?

I will say tote guns. Lots of people my age or younger have guns, causing a lot of violence that’s not needed. They just want to be on the street for no reason and get mixed with stuff. Beefing with somebody for no obvious reasons because you believe someone stole your girl or you got robbed. You don’t need guns. I want to engage them to learn how to communicate amicably about your issues. One gunshot can end your precious life.

Do you think being an officer for a career was better while you were in elementary school or do you feel it’s better now?

It’s better now because I have grown to become more mature in life and because of how much you can get paid.

If you could change something in the world, what would it be?

World hunger because I dislike seeing people struggle.

Do you think we will ever achieve world peace?

At one point in life, but it’s going to take a while.