Some officers don’t have their mind set on working for the police force until the opportunity arises.
Officer Raul Douglas started doing police work after wanting to leave his previous job at Recko, a printing company. He used to work with big industrial printers that produce advertising signs. After three and a half years, he looked to apply for something different. The University of Rhode Island Police Department was different enough.
“When I first applied, I didn’t know the full extent of being a full police officer,” Douglas said. Though having to go through the academy took him “by storm,” he took it as a challenge and an opportunity. After applying, Douglas had to go through a number of tests that all officers must pass, as well as graduate from the academy.
“It [was] worth a try,” he said. “It was a big challenge because I didn’t know what I was going into.” Douglas explained that when he went through it, he got to understand better how a police officer conducts his job and goes about his duty. He also added that he felt being an officer was a better opportunity for him.
Being a campus police officer is something that Douglas enjoys. He said that he loves the college and learning atmospheres equated with the university. He also loves the fact that he can keep up with sports, especially basketball, a sport that he played through high school and part way into college. Douglas has helped coach basketball before, and last year did so for the women’s basketball team at URI. He said it was his favorite moment of the job so far. Students can most likely find him at any of the basketball or football games, either on duty or just sitting in the stands.
Douglas said that he believes working for the campus is more exciting than if he was working for a city police department.
“It feels more uplifting,” he said. “More of a thriving environment. You have students from all ages coming here to learn, to get their degree. They come here for a goal and they’re trying to accomplish that goal, which is fun to see.”
Douglas said that he can’t beat this job right now, and doesn’t see himself going to work in a town police department. It would be boring to him, he said.
Douglas added that he loves to walk around campus, talk to students and see how their lives are going. He is able to relate to students, going to school, being on their own, maybe working a job, because he went through it all as well. He likes to try and help students in whatever way they may need.
“We’re here to serve and here to protect as well,” he said of the police department. He added that the department wants to see URI thrive and that they do their best to keep bad things from happening.
“Our job is tough,” Douglas said. “We do things that some people don’t like, but we also do things that some people do like and appreciate. It’s a balancing act.”