On April 1st, 2024, 49 individuals joined the police academy. Yesterday, on Friday, September 13th, only 35 graduated. I am honored and proud to be one of them. We are now sworn police officers – to protect, serve, and enhance the quality of life of our communities!
Why, Mike?
Most of my friends know me as a marketing guy. I majored in marketing during college and was excited to gain more experience at tech companies with marketing communications roles. Shortly after September 11, 2001, however, I pursued a career in law enforcement. Many of us each have our own story on what we were doing that day when we first heard the news of the terrorist attacks. I still get emotional thinking about how one of my peers at Santa Clara University is no longer with us today. She was on Flight 93. When I thought about her and the thousands who perished that day, I often balled up my fists and questioned how I can I make a more meaningful difference with my time, energy, and skills. I discovered that in the 1990’s, many FBI agents had juris doctorate degrees so I was inspired to follow their footsteps – I graduated from Syracuse University College of Law and received my certification in National Security Law and Counter-Terrorism. I also interned for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, investigating cyber fraud and a mail bombing.
When I met the love of my life, however, I decided to marry her, raise a family, and return to the tech industry as a corporate communications professional. For 17 years, I managed internal communications for thousands of employees at small, medium, and large companies, including VMware, Juniper Networks, Zuora, and Slack. By far, my greatest accomplishment is celebrating 18 years of marriage with my best friend and raising our 12-year old twins.
In the midst of a rewarding career and family life, I could no longer ignore my passion for law enforcement. I am too old to be a federal agent (age limit is 37 years old) and I have no intention of relocating or leaving our wonderful home, friends, and family. Fortunately, California’s police departments do not have an age limit but rather filter people out based on physical fitness requirements and a written exam during the application process. I don’t believe in coincidences and am thankful that God had stirred in me the discipline to physically train my entire adult life – from break dancing, to Krav Maga, to marathon training – so I felt confident with the law enforcement fitness requirements. Combined with my writing and communications skills, I was optimistic in passing the written exam.
The biggest challenge was to gain support from those who matter most of to me and confirm that I’m not out of my mind for a career pivot this late in life. I’ve had countless conversations with my wife, children, extended family, and friends, focusing on the why, timing, safety concerns, the multiple perceptions and criticisms of law enforcement throughout our nation’s history, and the sacrifices we’d all have to make for me to pursue this career. Not everyone was happy about this decision but in the end, they supported me.
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.“
– Robert Frost
I submitted one application to one agency in August 2023. Applying to one agency is highly irregular for most police recruits but we live in an exceptional time when police departments across the nation are actively hiring. Not only was I hired by the Pleasanton Police Department, they sponsored me to attend the police academy. These folks truly went above and beyond to ensure I had the resources, guidance, insights, and encouragement I needed to succeed at the academy. I’m thrilled to be part of the team.
There is so much more to share – the hiring process, the do’s and don’ts at the police academy, the people who helped me throughout this journey, the wisdom and lessons learned, and what’s to come. I’m still figuring out the format, platform, and how much I am authorized to share. For now, I’m celebrating, resting up, and mentally preparing myself of the challenges and opportunities ahead as a law enforcement officer. My academy’s class motto is “Live with Honor. Serve with Pride.” And that’s exactly what I intend to do.