When it comes to policing, holding the line while being a good listener is key.
That was one of the main messages during a recent program at the Oak Lawn Public Library where Oak Lawn police Officer Joseph Doornbos described his job for a group of young adults who were potentially interested in pursuing that career path.
“Being sympathetic, empathetic, trying to understand what someone is going through,” Doornbos told the high school students. “It’s that human interaction that’s central.”
The talk was part of a series at the library about careers in public service. A second session, Careers in Firefighting, is planned from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 14, which will include a tour of Fire Station 3. Tom Javorcic, local history librarian at Oak Lawn, said the sessions are a follow-up to the library’s first responder exhibit, as well as a way to show alternative career paths in a challenging job market.
Doornbos told the high school students that they shouldn’t heed stereotypes when considering the job.
When he started in the force 18 years ago, knowing little about the job, “I was the biggest introverted person, just so you know,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be the extroverted alpha male.”
Still, policing does take a tough mindset.
“If you’re too sensitive and take it personally, you’re going to do something stupid,” Doornbos said.
Doornbos recalled encountering a man upset that his neighbor’s sprinkler got his car wet. But Doornbos was able to “talk down” the high emotions.
“Things are very emotional,” he said. “People aren’t thinking very clearly,” he said.
Other situations can be dicier, like when he stopped a man for speeding, later learning he had killed his girlfriend.
“Part of it is being able to read a person,” he said. “That question mark is what makes it dangerous.”
The session also offered details on requirements for getting into the department, financial compensation and day-to-day responsibilities.
Potential hirees have to meet certain education requirements, be between 21 and 35 years old and be “physically and psychologically qualified” for the work. If accepted, there’s a 12-week training period, which includes fitness and firearms elements. Starting salary in Oak Lawn is $77, 378.
“You’ll never be rich as a police officer, but you can be comfortable,” Doornbos said.
If accepted, men or women start out as patrol officers, but can go on to be detective, sergeant, lieutenant, evidence technician, or take on other roles, such as those utilizing technology. The department has a drone on the ground to watch over crowds or track suspects and a new one on the roof, yet to be used by drone officers. There’s also been the advent of AI to assist officers with understanding foreign languages spoken by people they assist.
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The students on hand for the presentation appeared enthralled with the discussion — some already were thinking of a career in law enforcement.
“I like how they respond first, know how to react, what to do and be a team,” said Nathan Castro, a junior at Richards High School in Oak Lawn.
“I like keeping the community safe,” said another Richards junior, Alex Voukovski.
Max Griffin, a senior at Brother Rice High School, said his dad is a Chicago police officer, so he knew something about the responsibilities involved.
“He definitely has a variety of things he does every day,” said Max. “That kind of a draw.”
Knowing a foreign language could be an asset, the group learned, especially Polish, Spanish or Arabic. Other languages, like Ukrainian, Bulgarian and Russian, which Alex said he knew, could be a good fit for a federal job.
Doornbos said one of the harder parts of the job was the surge in people with mental health struggles in the community because of the cuts in resources over the years, adding any past exposure to psychological issues could help police.
“Police more and more are trying to resolve what should not be a police matter,” he said.
Nonetheless, it’s an interesting job, he said.
“Sure I could have done with more sleep and fewer midnight shifts, but overall it was really good,” said Doornbos.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.