Interview Transcript #2- Sgt.

Renee Williams
1. What made you want to get involved into policing?

Several reasons including the cliché answer of “always wanting to help people and make a
difference.” I had a few mentors during my high school and college years that were in the
field, so I followed in their footsteps. I must say there was always something about my
character … even at a young age that promoted / encouraged peace and order. That is also
a big part of my role as peace officers.

2. How did you perceive police officers when you were younger?

I perceived them as people to call on when you needed help. There was also a little bit of
fear (especially while driving), because let’s be honest … it is no fun getting pulled over as a
teen who lacked years of driving experience.

3. Was this job always what you wanted to do?

Yes

4. Has there ever been a situation that made you reconsider your field?

No, but there have been moments where I’ve wondered if I’d go into law enforcement
“today” and I am not sure I’d make the same choice. This is because of where our society is
headed with violence against law enforcement officers, social media “court” (where the trend
is to draw negative conclusions without knowing all of the facts), as well as the mistakes
fellow officers have made by operating out of policy. While those instances are far, few and
in between … it tends to define us as a whole.

5. Has there ever been a situation that made you change the way you went about policing?

Yes. For example, I spent a few years as a school resource officer and there was one kid
that always seemed to get in trouble on campus. One day, I visited his home and basically
saw a lot of dysfunction. It put things into perspective with why he acted the way that he did
and it taught me to always search for what you “can’t see” when dealing with an incident vs.
what you can see.

6. Are there any laws you are hesitant about enforcing?

No, but as officers we are able to use our discretion within reason. For example, an elderly
woman suffering from dementia once assaulted me. Technically, I could have arrested her
… but didn’t for obvious reasons.
7. How do you think policing has changed with the rise of technology?

See answer in question #4 (re: social media). Also, cameras are the biggest technology
change that I’ve seen recently. Most agencies, including Concord, near wear cameras
attached to their uniform and record all calls for service.

8. What do you love most about being an officer?

I still love helping people. I love connecting with people and changing their perception of law
enforcement (when that perception is negative). I love inspiring children.

9. What is the hardest part about being an officer?

Working graveyard and holidays was my least favorite as a patrol officer. As a Special
Victim’s Unit Detective, it was hard seeing children victims of crime. And now as a sergeant,
the pressures of “making the right call” can sometimes be challenging.

10. What is one thing you wish people knew about policing?

I wish people took the time to learn more about their police department, officers, etc., before
casting judgement and making blank statements about “hating all police.”

11. Do you personally know someone who is or was in the prison system?

Yes, I’ve had relatives go through the system.

12. Why do you think the United States has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world?

One reason may be because funds are being pulled from programs that help and make a
difference.

13. Do you believe there is a fault in the justice and prison system?

Yes of course … without fault, it would be perfect … and we know it’s not. While the US has
one of the highest incarceration rates, there still seems to be minimal punishments for
criminal behavior in CA (ie. robbery suspects who followed an elderly couple home, beat
them and robbed them of their casino earnings, only received 24 months in prison. At least
one of the suspects was a “repeat” criminal).

14. If so, how do you think we should start to fix these issues?

Tougher on crime, especially violent ones. In the example above, with the repeat offender
… I do not believe 2 years will dissuade him from committing more offenses when he gets
out of prison and he may continue living a life of crime.
15. Do you believe all inmates are capable of rehabilitation?

Of course. I’m just not sure how much emphasis there is on rehabilitation in prison.

16. Do you think genetics play a role in criminal behavior?

Not genetics … I don’t care how many bad decisions your parents made, it does not define
who you are. Just because my mom or dad committed something heinous, doesn’t mean I’ll
grow up to do the same. I do believe that they can influence your decision to go into
criminal behavior. As with the example I gave in number 5 above.

17. Do you think a person’s environment can play a role in criminal behavior?

Yes, answered above.