The reason I became a police officer is similar to a lot of other officers’ reasons. I wanted to make the town that I live in a safer and better place to live and work. I wanted to serve as an officer in my own hometown, the town where I grew up. I had the opportunity to become a rookie officer in 2001 with the Prattville Police Department. I graduated from the police academy in November of that same year. I have loved every minute that I have been allowed to serve this community. Sure, it has its moments of headaches, and some days, the paperwork is too much to bear. But that’s nothing compared to the moments of joy you have when you assist a citizen in his or her time of need, know that you put a smile on his or her face, or hold a child’s hand who just lost everything in a tornado. The emotions are indescribable and awesome. There is nothing in this world that even comes close to the feeling you get when you know your work makes a difference in people’s lives. Becoming a police officer is one of my greatest accomplishments, and I look forward to every day I get to serve the City of Prattville and its citizens.
Photo is of Officer Jacksland on bike patrol and it was taken after a devastating EF 3 tornado hit Prattville, Alabama, damaging over 850 residents and 50 businesses. Photo by Cpl. Derrick Emmanuel
Learn more about the Prattville Police Department at: http://www.prattvillepublicsafety.com