Michelle Hockett

Being a school resource officer was the most rewarding due to the relationships I built with the children and families in our community.

I chose a career in Law Enforcement as I wanted to help people in the community I lived in. Prior to working for the Police Department, I was employed for Child Protection Services. While there I worked alongside the Police Department often, and enjoyed this type of work so in turn I applied for the Police Department. I have been an Officer for 11 years. I began my career on Patrol working nights and then switched to day shift. After being on patrol, I became a School Resource Office for approximately four years. I enjoyed Patrol; however, really enjoyed being a school resource officer as I worked with some of the most vulnerable population of our city due to poverty, addiction, domestic violence, abuse/neglect, etc. Being a school resource officer was the most rewarding due to the relationships I built with the children and families in our community. Most of the families and children I worked with were not particularly fond of Police; however, due to the relationship I built with them it made them view the Police Department in a positive light and restored some trust and faith towards police. I chose the Sioux Falls Police Department as I lived in this Community, worked alongside of the Officers in this Department, and always had a positive interaction with SFPD. Sioux Falls is a great place to live and work as it is growing and changing all the time; and it is becoming a larger city with a small town feel. People are friendly and welcoming and it is safe to raise your family here. Our downtown area is beautiful, and it is continuing to grow and expand. Our department is extremely fortunate as our community as a whole embrace us and trusts us.