Favorite Parts of Working in the Law Enforcement Industry as a UCLA Police Officer
London's enjoyment of law enforcement stems from "the ability to help," drawing inspiration from childhood experiences where police officers acted as "superheroes," protecting and reassuring during frightening incidents. This desire to assist others, coupled with the opportunity to build relationships and community connections through interactions with diverse individuals, is what London finds most rewarding about the career.
Community Building, Helping Others, Problem-Solving, Building Relationships, Public Service
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
London McBride
Police Officer
UCLA Police Department
Utah State University 99'
Southern New Hampshire University; MS-Organizational Leadership
Anthropology, Sociology
Government & Public Sector
Legal
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Helping people and making a difference in the community are central to London's enjoyment of law enforcement. He describes the feeling of being able to act as a “superhero” and provide assistance in various situations.
2. Building relationships within the community is another aspect London highlights. He emphasizes the importance of creating connections with people from diverse backgrounds and using his position to foster understanding and collaboration.
3. London's childhood experiences with law enforcement officers significantly influenced his career choice. The positive interactions he witnessed shaped his perception of the profession and his desire to emulate the positive impact those officers had on his community.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in law enforcement?
What I enjoy most about being in law enforcement is the ability to help people, almost like a superhero. It's about having the power and resources to protect them. That's probably the coolest aspect of working in this field.
I remember when I was a kid, my parents thought I was missing. When they called the sheriff's department, they came in like superheroes. I was just with my cousin, and when I got home, a big guy scooped me up and gave me to my mom. I thought, "This is cool. I need to do this."
Another time, in fifth grade, we were walking home, and some guys pulled up and fired a gun in the air, scaring us. We all ran. The sheriff's department came through our neighborhood, and I remember a giant figure standing by my window. He told me not to worry and that they would find the people who scared us. I thought that was the coolest thing.
They later found the individuals and came back to tell us they'd caught them. They reassured us that we were safe. They were like superheroes, saving the day.
I think it's amazing to have the ability to help people when they say, "Hey, this is what I'm dealing with, can you help me?" Knowing I can actually do things to assist them is the coolest part. Being able to help people in law enforcement has been incredibly rewarding.
I also value the relationships I've built within the community, not just with other law enforcement officers but with the larger community as well. Being able to go to different places, talk to people, and build connections has led me to many interesting situations. I've met and spoken with many different people I never expected to.
Because of this role, people are willing to listen. It's cool because I get to hear their perspectives, and we can build things together. I think that's been one of the true blessings of being in law enforcement.