Recently, I was afforded the opportunity to do a deep dive into the day-to-day life of a police officer. I knew working in law enforcement was a career that came with intensity and stress that can at times be dangerous. While on duty responding to a call, the temperament of any situation can change in seconds.
I was offered the chance to do a walkthrough tour of the Mount Pleasant Police Department. The ride-along experience is something I will never forget. It opened my eyes to what patrol officers really do within our community.
Any citizen can participate in ride-alongs with a patrol officer after a clear background check. MPPD encourages the community to inquire and experience what it’s like to ride with an officer. Entering the Department at 6 a.m., I was greeted by the morning patrol team as they were being debriefed from the previous shift.
Patrol has three shifts which include: morning from 6 a.m.-4 p.m., second shift from 1-11 p.m. and third shift from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. An officer spends eight solid hours on the road with an additional two hours doing paperwork.
During my ride along, I met Sgt. Ashley Croy, who proudly serves her community, is a former patrol officer of 10 years who now works as a public information officer. “My job is solely to get information out to the public via all platforms.”…