Officer McKenzie Greene

Q: Why did you become a police officer?

My journey to becoming a police officer first started with an interest in the psychological aspect of crime. I have always had a passion for attempting to understand why bad things happen to good people. After pursuing my college education in Forensic Psychology, I found that I would much rather make an effort to prevent those things from happening. I decided I wanted to be proactive rather than reactive as a human being. I attended college in a city with a police department full of female officers, which gave me the motivation and encouragement to believe that I, too, could be a woman in law enforcement despite my sex or size.

Q: What motivates you to succeed?

My motivation comes from the other women around me. Daily, I have the opportunity to work with some of the bravest, strongest, and most humble women on the planet. Every single day, the female officers I work with, who are also mothers and daughters, put on the uniform and go out into the city to make it safer for everyone else, fully aware that the evil in the world could take them away from their own families. I see and admire their constant sacrifices as they risk their own lives to ensure the world is a safer place for all. Additionally, the women mentors I have had along the way have assisted me every step of the way, reminding me that a positive attitude and hard work can be fruitful.

Q: What’s your most memorable moment on the job?

While at work, we responded to an apartment complex known for its violence and drug activity. We were dealing with a large crowd of gang members and family members who were trying to provoke us into arguments. A ten-year-old girl approached me out of the crowd and told me someone had stolen her bicycle, and she wanted to report it stolen. I walked with her over to her guardian, who reluctantly gave her permission to fill out a police report with me.

We then went back to my car and began writing the statement, word by word, line by line; I helped her spell out every word on the paper because she did not know how to spell them all. While helping her, members of the community began taunting the little girl, telling her that she was “snitching” and calling her inappropriate names for reaching out to the police about her stolen bicycle. For about forty-five minutes, the taunting went on until we finished the police report and the rest of the officers completed the investigation we were conducting on scene.

Later that week, we took up a collection and bought the girl a new bicycle. I then found her as she was leaving her after-school care program and presented her with a brand-new bicycle. All the kids in her program were oohing and aahing in shock that the police had just given her a bicycle. To this day, as I patrol the streets in her neighborhood, I see her riding her bicycle with friends. Despite the opinions of those around her, she never passes by me without screaming, “HI MS. GREENE!”

Our interaction may seem small or insignificant to some, but it is a testament to how each and every interaction we have during our shift can be the beginning of bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community we work in.

Q: What challenges have you faced?

Coming into this profession, I had a complete lack of knowledge regarding the mistrust individuals in the community have toward law enforcement. The daily efforts to attempt to bridge the gap can be burdensome, as locally you suffer from the poor decisions other officers make across the nation.

I think everyone who pursues this career will be faced with some of the most difficult challenges; you will be pushed to your absolute limits mentally, physically, and emotionally. You must be confident in your abilities, your training, and your decision-making. Some of the things you will go through will have the capability to overcome you, but you have to surround yourself with positive people who help you on the tough days—people who remind you of the ultimate goal of our profession and the importance of showing up every day for the members of the community we swore to protect.

Q: What advice do you have for women considering a profession in policing?

Do it. Law enforcement is an evolving profession, and women are needed just as much as men. You have to accept that there are differences between males and females, but those differences should not be seen as weaknesses but as assets to work toward a common goal. Be confident in yourself, and you will set the tone for how others perceive you. Also, never change who you are or what you are passionate about.