Voices of the Force

Our July/August print edition focused on highlighting teens who had chosen the path of public service through the Columbus Police cadet program. We interviewed one of the amazing officers cheering them on, Officer Murray Williaam M.

When you see a young adult walk into the police academy, what is the number one-character trait you look for that tells you that they have a public service heart? For our cadets, before they come to the academy, they go through an interview. During that interview, we’re able to talk to them, ask them questions just to see why they would like to become a cadet.

So, during that interview process, we’re able to get to know people one-on-one and have that conversation.

How do you teach cadets to maintain their empathy and humanity when dealing with high stress or difficult situations?
Absolutely. One of the things we do within our 18-week academy is a lot of community service. This ensures our cadets see firsthand that this is a career centered on constantly serving others. We are highly community-service-driven. We use a hands-on approach so cadets can interact with the people who will one day look to them for help. This ensures that our cadets maintain their empathy and always remember their ‘why’.

What is a unique training scenario or community outreach project that Columbus Police cadets do that really open their eyes to diverse needs of the city’s neighbors? Jordan’s Crossing is something that we do. We volunteer twice a month where they’re able to work with people directly, hands-on, in the community. Another thing that we do, we go to East Linden Elementary, where they’re reading to children who are in elementary school. They’re helping during field day. So, we try to make sure that they’re involved in areas that they necessarily would not see.

For teenagers who might feel disconnected from or distrustful of law enforcement, how are you training your future officers to bridge that gap? I think it goes back to, just continuing to put them in areas where they’re able to connect with young people one-on-one. So, one of the things that we do, we have a rise-up, during the summer, we bring cadets out, where we sit behind, we tell our cadets, “Go interact with those in the community. This allows them to have those conversations, to just be able to see, like, “Okay. These people are just like us. We’re able to just converse.” That’s what we want. We want them to be able to just converse with people in their community. So, a lot of the things that we do are driven within the community. For example, we go to churches where they have their resource fairs. So, we make sure that we’re involved in the community so cadets can get that exposure to different communities, not just on the west side, but also on the east side, on the south side, and on the north side.

The Columbus Police Department Cadet Program opens applications for young adults ages 18 to 20. What life experience makes an applicant stand out to you during the selection process?
I think it goes back to your first question, right? What is your reason for wanting to do this? You know, do you have a service heart, or is it something where you want to be a part of the community? Do you want to make a difference? We know everyone has their own story. So, we try to really listen to people, get those stories, and just look into a person’s character. We look at characters. Character references and being able to ask those questions and listen to them. We make our selections based on that.

What support system does the Columbus Division of Police provide to those candidates once they graduate and hit the streets?
We have a great wellness unit here within the department where officers are, able to go and talk to someone if they need help. Our wellness center is amazing. It’s 24/7. We can contact someone if you’re involved in something.

One of the things that we have for our cadets who are going to graduate, they can reach back to us anytime. We ask them, “How’s it going? How’s things been?” So that’s one of the things that we do. But our wellness center does a great job where officers can go and talk to someone when those stressors happen because they happen. It’s not a question of if, but when will it happen in your career.

If you could fast forward 10 years, what kind of legacy do you hope this specific class of candidates leave on the city of Columbus?
I want the legacy left behind to be a Cadet Program that remains strong and continues to invest heavily in our youth. Young people are our future leaders. By the end of their time with us, the individuals we are training today should be stepping into leadership roles as sergeants and lieutenants. Ultimately, I want to see them giving back and paving the way for the next generation. That is the most important thing: each generation reaching back to make things a little bit better for the next.

Policing now is going to be completely different with 10 years from now. Just being able to make sure that we have people who are able to reconnect to young people is one of those things that is always needed.

I know right now we have a trend where it seems like young people aren’t doing what they’re supposed to do, but I’m confident that we do. And this program reminds you that we have young people who are trying to do what’s right, right? I know oftentimes we focus on that minority who’s not doing what’s right. But when you look at it, we have a mass majority.

What is your ultimate message to the youth of Columbus about the type of police division you are trying to build through these new recruits? Our Chief has done a wonderful job of ensuring inclusivity; I really love that her leadership is focused on making sure everyone has a place here. I truly believe in that vision. I believe that if we can tell young people, ‘Hey, you have a spot here. Come check it out,’ we can make a real impact. Looking back, I never thought I was going to be a police officer because I didn’t have anyone telling me that this could be a career path for me. If I could rewind time, I would have started a long time ago.

Now, I want to get in front of young people and show them that this is a great career that can set you up very well in life. Whether through social media or face-to-face, we need to let them know that this is an opportunity they will benefit from. It allows you to give back to your community in a positive way, helping people every single day. I think that ability to help others is exactly what makes this job so beautiful.

Can you tell me about a specific time where a candidate completely turned their performance around to surprise you?
The thing about the cadet program is that it doesn’t necessarily have a strict physical requirement at the start. We base our selection on interviews, character assessment, and background checks. Because of this, we get people at all different levels of physical fitness.

When we begin, we set the physical training standard to match the actual academy requirement for a 20-year-old. You’d be surprised by how many people aren’t able to meet that mark at the start. But within 18 weeks, you see a transformation: they’re running a mile and a half in under 12 minutes and doing push-ups they never thought possible. They become more competent and confident in their own abilities.

We even teach them ’10-codes,’ the specific language we use over the radio. Watching them go from knowing nothing to hearing them speak that ‘police language’ in the hallways. It’s amazing to see that growth. You realize these are the seeds of leadership. We understand that not everyone who joins our program will become a police officer, and that is perfectly fine. The real goal is to plant a seed that inspires them to be civically engaged. We have participants who go on to become nurses, join the military, or pursue other paths. Even for those who decide this career isn’t for them; the experience gives them a clear idea of how they want to give back to their community in a positive way. Seeing that confidence in our cadets is the most rewarding part of this job

We know that service comes with challenges. How do you stay grounded and maintain your mental health during difficult times, and what advice would you give to someone facing a major professional hurdle?

Absolutely, there are challenges every day, that’s just life, right? For me, being steadfast in my faith and remembering my ‘why’ plays a huge part in getting through those tough moments. We all have times where we ask, ‘Is this worth it?’ But when you remember your purpose, you reset. You must make sure you’re refilling your cup.

When I’m off the clock, I make a point to actually be off. I do things that bring me joy, and that’s what helps me refuel. When you don’t take the time to refill your own cup, that’s when things can go wrong. But when you prioritize taking care of yourself, you’re able to give back to your community in a much more positive way.

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