Public Service Runs In The Family For Chicago Detective
Brian Lawrence is a detective in juvenile investigations at the Elgin, IL Police Department. Lawrence's father, wife, and brother all have been a part of the EPD. Right after Lawrence graduated high school, he attended Elgin Community College, graduating with an A.A. in history. Several years after joining the Elgin Police Department, he decided to continue his education and earned his B.A. in Criminal Justice Management from Judson University. He is currently finishing up the requirements for his M.A. in history from Roosevelt University in Illinois.
Lawrence started his career with the Elgin Police Department as a community service officer. He has served in both adult investigations and juvenile investigations, where he is currently assigned. Lawrence is also an adjunct professor in the criminal justice program at Harper College, and he teaches a juvenile law class for police recruits at the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy at the College of DuPage.
Lawrence shares his experiences and thoughts on what it takes to be a successful public servant in a police department
What are the responsibilities of your current role?
"In my current assignment in Juvenile Investigations, I conduct follow-up investigations on crimes committed by minors, which under Illinois law is anyone under the age of 18. If I can identify the offender, I work with him or her and the family and try to arrive at the most appropriate disposition. This may involve sending the minor to some type of diversion program, referring them to juvenile court services, or, in more serious cases, sending them to a juvenile detention center."
What is your favorite part of your daily duties?
"I think my favorite part of my job is the discretion I get as a juvenile officer when handling young offenders. With adult offenders, it is pretty cut and dry; they get arrested and then they come to court. With juvenile offenders, I can tailor a response that meets the specific needs of a child. I look at the offender, not just the offense committed. This allows me to handle certain kids informally, without deeper involvement of the juvenile justice system."
Do you feel your education prepared you for your current role?
"My education definitely helped prepare me for my profession. Even though my initial higher education was not in criminal justice, I learned about researching information, time management, and attention to detail. These are very important qualities for any police officer."
Do you have any advice for people who desire to pursue a similar career?
"Many law enforcement agencies require applicants to have a college degree. I would advise anyone who wants to be a police officer to go to college right after high school and earn that degree. Studying criminal justice may be helpful, but it is not a requirement, so study something you will enjoy. I would also stress that in this profession, people skills are a must. Prospective police officers need to be comfortable when dealing with people who come from very diverse backgrounds and experiences, so learn to live outside of your comfort zone."
Michelle Guilbeau is a writer, reviewer, teacher and business owner living in Chicago, Illinois. She also has experience in school administration, literacy coaching and is proud founder of CraftKitsForKids.com and MichelleGuilbeau.com Michelle enjoys sharing her knowledge of Chicago, food, travel, education and parenting issues with her readers. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.