Arthur "Joe" Hatcher

Worked in the high school as a direct contact with the student body. I would meet and greet the students as they arrived at the school in the morning by school bus, private transportation or driving to school themselves. I would also reach out to students greeting them with encouraging words, fist bumps, high fives as the would wald from their classroom to the next. I would speak directly to them complimenting them on their clothes, encouraging make them feel good about themselves as the school day has started. One of my responsibilities, I had was working with twenty students who were assigned to me. They were composed of boys and girls and students from the 9th grade to the 12th grade. My assignment was to encourage them in attending school, attending their classes and make them and show them their academic efforts were being accomplished based on the effort and my encouragement. These students were assigned to me by the school administrators, teacher referrals and the guidance counselors. We all have the same mission and purpose to help them succeed to the best of their abilities.

I had the fortunate capabilities and opportunity to work with them on a one on one basis, where the student would come to my office and a counseling session would commence and I point out and review the students grades with them and also talk about on how they can better themselves in and outside the classroom. I would meet with the students twice a week at my office and our counseling sessions would last 15-20 minutes. Also I would see the student in the hallways transferring from class to class and at lunch time during their lunch periods also interacting, encouraging showing a positive personality to them.

There are times were there would be personality conflicts, were student would engage in physical confrontations, and I would speak to them encouraging them to separate and resolve their issues in a positive resourceful way. One of the great pleasures, I have seen in my two years, where the seniors I have been working with succeed and graduate from high school. With my other underclassman I have had a 90% success rate where the students are promoted to the next grade.

I truly believe my age, and my years of experience as a sports coach in which I am still active, as a retired police officer to work in all types of situations dealing with family matters and conflict resolutions has made me the person I am today. I believe in treating everyone fairly, equally without hesitation to make them feel wanted and be apart of a positive program.

• Answered emergency calls for help from citizens and business owners.
• Patrolled assigned areas to prevent and detect roadway crimes.
• Conducted preliminary investigations at scenes of major crimes.
• Apprehended offenders and conducted interviews and interrogations.
• Responded immediately to reports of automobile accidents and criminal activity, calling for additional support as necessary.
• Talked regularly with citizens to establish rapport and become familiar presence in area.
• Conducted witness interviews and gathered details regarding incidents to determine best course of action.
• Apprehended suspects, read Miranda Rights, and transported offenders to jail.
• Worked as a Community Relations Officer, where I was assigned to work in Section 8 housing, which comprised of low income housing. I was the communities police officer, I helped organize events and activities that would enhance the quality of life dealing with young boys and girls, as well as their teenage siblings. The one activity I enjoyed the most was help organize and help coach boys and girls basketball program in the community. Through the efforts of the Police Department, positive activities were developed from field trip activities to various locations to afterschool homework with the kids.
• I had the pleasure of doing this for three years, then I was transferred to the Police Academy to become an instructor, interacting with police recruits.