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Meet Brandywine Hundred's Community Police Officer Cpl. Amy Kevis.
Q: How did you come to be one of the county's five community police officers?
A: I started in patrol and then went through the traffic unit, which was one of our special units. Then I went back to patrol and starting doing a driving program where I was dealing with a lot of community groups and churches and schools on a different level and I really enjoyed that. So when this position became available I put in for it and I got it.
Q: What do you like about community policing?
A: I think so many times we as police officers just react and take a report and then move onto the next complaint. But when you interact with people on this level you get a different understanding and a different rapport with people and it makes the rest of the process easier. It's about when people have problems, helping them fix it before it gets worse...And it's also about helping people realize they have a hand in their safety.
Q: What kind of duties are involved in a typical day of community police work?
A: A lot of our job is being a liaison with local elected officials. We also focus on things that come about through community meetings. We're responsible for knowing what's going on in individual communities and try to address those situations in ways that are very visible, so the residents see us and know what's going on and what we're doing to improve things.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the job?
A: I really do enjoy the people. We're all the same, we all have the same concerns. People tell me
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Meet Amy Age: 45 |
that they believe I understand what they're saying. I want people to know that I'm on their side, that I'm there to help them and that I'm not there to be adversarial. A lot of times people just want to talk and feel like they're being heard. A lot of times they know you can't fix it right away, but they want to be heard and I like listening.
Q: Is there any one thing that sticks out in your mind that you're proud of having gotten accomplished for residents?
A: We had a homicide in one of the trailers at Naamans Trailer Park and we had problems there for a few years that we were never able to nip in the bud. Eventually, after the man was arrested, we were successful in going to the owners and having that trailer demolished and taken out of the park. That neighborhood is by no means idyllic now, but it was a huge problem there and it cause people a lot of angst. And it was symbolic for the residents to help them turn the page.
Meet Brandywine Hundred's Community Police Officer Cpl. Amy Kevis.
Q: How did you come to be one of the county's five community police officers?
A: I started in patrol and then went through the traffic unit, which was one of our special units. Then I went back to patrol and starting doing a driving program where I was dealing with a lot of community groups and churches and schools on a different level and I really enjoyed that. So when this position became available I put in for it and I got it.
Q: What do you like about community policing?
A: I think so many times we as police officers just react and take a report and then move onto the next complaint. But when you interact with people on this level you get a different understanding and a different rapport with people and it makes the rest of the process easier. It's about when people have problems, helping them fix it before it gets worse...And it's also about helping people realize they have a hand in their safety.
Q: What kind of duties are involved in a typical day of community police work?
A: A lot of our job is being a liaison with local elected officials. We also focus on things that come about through community meetings. We're responsible for knowing what's going on in individual communities and try to address those situations in ways that are very visible, so the residents see us and know what's going on and what we're doing to improve things.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the job?
A: I really do enjoy the people. We're all the same, we all have the same concerns. People tell me
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Meet Amy Age: 45 |
that they believe I understand what they're saying. I want people to know that I'm on their side, that I'm there to help them and that I'm not there to be adversarial. A lot of times people just want to talk and feel like they're being heard. A lot of times they know you can't fix it right away, but they want to be heard and I like listening.
Q: Is there any one thing that sticks out in your mind that you're proud of having gotten accomplished for residents?
A: We had a homicide in one of the trailers at Naamans Trailer Park and we had problems there for a few years that we were never able to nip in the bud. Eventually, after the man was arrested, we were successful in going to the owners and having that trailer demolished and taken out of the park. That neighborhood is by no means idyllic now, but it was a huge problem there and it cause people a lot of angst. And it was symbolic for the residents to help them turn the page.
Q: What is like to be a female cop?
A: I think women definitely bring a different touch to law enforcement. I think women as a general rule are going to talk to people and reason with them before jumping into a situation. Women are good talkers and good listeners. Within the department there's still some who believe the stereotype that women shouldn't be cops, but when a hot complaint comes in, they don't care who comes and backs them up.
Q: What's your single biggest day-to-day challenge?
A: Going home at the end of the day and feeling like I had a good day. For me, going home and feeling like I've made some inroads and was productive is my biggest challenge.
Q: What is the best advice you've ever received?
A: "Keep your mouth shut and do your job," from retired Maj. Stuart Snyder. If there's ever a situation where I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick, I just reflect on that.
Q: What five adjectives would your fellow officers use to describe you?
A: Outspoken, obnoxious, strong, funny and empathetic.
