By Stevie Michaels
Stevie served one year on the DPSS Student Advisory Board
I have always known I wanted a career in public service, but I wasn’t sure the path that I wanted to take.
I began working with DPSS as a rotational intern the summer following my junior year in 2018 where I worked under the wonderful supervision of Marlanna Landeros. In that role, I was able to meet and talk to various officers and see different aspects of the career every day. From ride-alongs to K9 training, (which was always my favorite thanks to Officer Upton & K9 Nike,) I was able to hear many perspectives on law enforcement and policing. I think it was those conversations that I had with so many different officers and employees at the division that guided me to commit to the path of law enforcement.
Following my internship, I continued working with the department as a student assistant and self-defense instructor. In that space, I learned (and am still learning every day) from Candace Dorsey, who has been so incredibly gracious in offering advice throughout my senior year. I was fortunate enough to receive self-defense training and eventually became an instructor. Candace, alongside many others, has given me an abundance of physical, verbal, and mental skills to take with me on my next step toward the police academy. One of my favorite aspects of my job was seeing Candace and Sgt. Gary Hicks interact with their students. Their dedication to helping the student body and leadership skills are inspiring.
“I think it was those conversations that I had with so many different officers and employees at the division that guided me to commit to the path of law enforcement.”
I am incredibly privileged to have been a student employee for the division and have so many outstanding individuals as role models and leaders. My experience with DPSS has been invaluable, and I will forever be grateful for the kind-hearted people that I have met along the way.