Audrey Caro Gomez
Leah Dauley flies the skies but her career goal is to eventually patrol the streets.
Currently a flight attendant, Dauley is working toward a law enforcement career and she recently took a step toward that by becoming Sweet Home Police Department’s first reserve officer.
A 2010 Sweet Home High School graduate, Dauley has been aiming to get into law enforcement since high school.
“We’re really excited to have her on board,” said SHPD Chief Jeff Lynn. “She was an Explorer with us when she was in high school.”
Dauley now works as a flight attendant for Spirit Airlines, based in Las Vegas. She lives in Springfield, but has family and friends in Sweet Home, so is in town often.
“After six years, I randomly saw one of the officers that works at the PD that I previously knew,” Dauley said. “I mentioned to him I still want to be a police officer, just not currently.”
That officer mentioned that the department had a newly formed Reserves Program.
“I thought it would be perfect because, with my full-time job, at times I have three or four days off where I would be able to do the volunteer time and gain experience to put on my resume (in the future),” Dauley said.
Reserves must volunteer a minimum of 20 hours monthly.
“The maximum is whatever they want to get out of it,” Lynn said.
The hiring procedure for reserves is the same as for full time officers, he said.
“In the end, our hope is they remain active,” Lynn said. “If we’re putting someone out there to enforce the laws, we take that very seriously.”
Among the basic qualifications are that an applicant must be a United States citizen, have a diploma or a GED, no record of felonies, and no record of misdemeanors for domestic violence or for crimes that resulted in serious physical injury to another person.
“We want somebody who is interested and invested in our community,” Lynn said. “That’s what we’re looking for.”
Dauley fits those characteristics.
“I hope to gain knowledge and a clear understanding what it takes to be a police officer, not only from the policy and procedures, but also learning how each police officer handles situations,” Dauley said. “I also hope to contribute my time to the police department as well as to the community if ever I am needed.”
Dauley thinks a reserve position is a good way to start in law enforcement.
Getting a position as a police officer is difficult and competitive, she said.
“Starting as a reserve officer gives you a step above any other person. T`he position will give you clarity and a full understanding of what your job will consist of.”
Dauley said she plans to stay active as a reserve police officer and will transition to full time police officer position in the future if a position opens up at the right time.
“At this time I consider myself young and kid free, so I still want to use my flight benefits from my full-time job to travel around and see the world,” she said.