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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Police Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
DET Michael K. Stamps (1992-Present)
Drug Enforcement Administration
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO MAKE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
I am actually the only person in my immediate family that got into law enforcement. For me, to answer to this question, I would have to share some information regarding my family background and upbringing. I have three brothers, one older, and two younger. My father, his brother  Clint, and eight sisters, were born and raised very poor on a farm in Indiana. My grandfather was an alcoholic, a bootlegger, and needless to say, was very abusive to his children (In the 1940's, my grandfather was kicked out of the U.S. Army during WWII, for assaulting an officer.) My father and his siblings lived a hard life. My dad enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1958. He was a Baker/Cook for the first 4 years, re-enlisted, and spent 2 years on Embassy Duty. He discharged prior to Vietnam. His brother (My uncle Clint) joined the Marine Corps in 1965. He was in a Weapons Platoon for 3/1 (3rd Battalion, 1rst Marines) and was very lucky to survive a 1966 battle in Vietnam called Operation Utah. My father told me long ago, that if not for the Marine Corps, he would have most likely gone down the wrong path in life.
I was born in Northampton, Massachusetts in 1968, and my family moved shortly thereafter to Dayton, Ohio. When I was about 4 years old, my father separated from my mother, and brought my 3 brothers and I to Pasadena, California, where most of his family (Mother, Sisters and Brother Clint) had settled down. My mother didn't know where we were for over a year. That experience (Taken from my mother), I learned much later, had a very traumatizing affect on not only me, but my brothers as well. Pasadena, Ca. is where I spent my childhood into my adolescence and early adulthood. Although my dad had a very good work ethic (He was self employed for the most part, started a Mobile Home Care business), we were fairly poor, and received welfare off and on.
My father made a lot of the same mistakes during our upbringing, that his father made during his upbringing. He was a strict disciplinarian, and was, unfortunately, physically/emotionally abusive. He never re-married, and spent a lot of time "after hours" at the bar. Of course, the results of this were not good. In Pasadena, during the early portion of 1980-81, my brothers and I began to hang out with the wrong people, staying out late and getting into trouble. It started with ditching school, petty crime, and smoking pot. The Stoner era in California was alive and well. My father moved us around a lot, and the neighborhoods we lived in (Some in Northwest Pasadena) were not good. There were a lot of gang issues. I wasn't off to a good start. I actually started smoking marijuana in the 5th grade. By the early 80's, all three of my brothers were in and out of Juvenile Hall, group homes and juvenile camps etc..
Luckily for me, several things occurred that altered my path in life. First, I saw my younger brother Chris and my older brother Bryan slipping into a lifestyle of hard drugs. Although I believe my father handled the situation poorly, and in some ways contributed to their decline by the way he raised us, I also saw the pain it caused him, seeing his son's slipping away. During the same period (around 1983) I was arrested with a friend for shoplifting at Sears. I was 13 years old. I'll never forget being walked through the store in handcuffs by a Pasadena police officer. When I saw the look on my father's face as he picked me up from the police station, I knew I was in big trouble. I thought my dad was going to give me the ass whoop'in of a lifetime. I was crying like a baby. He didn't say a word to me during the ride home. To my surprise, when we got home, he sent me to my room without saying a word. The beating never came. I learned a lesson that day. I felt terrible. My brothers were already giving my dad hell, and I didn't want to contribute to that. I wanted my father to be proud of me.
In 1983, a friend introduced me to the Civil Air Patrol. With my father's permission, I joined at 13 years old. It was CAP where I was exposed to good kids who came from good homes. Kids who actually wanted to do something  with their lives (College, Military service etc..) It was also CAP that sparked an interest in the military. While my brothers Chris, Bryan and Todd were serving time in Juvenile Hall, I was able to steer away from trouble. I basically became the white sheep of the family.
While at John Muir High School in Pasadena, I joined the Air Force JROTC. In 1984, I participated in the Devil Pups, a 2-week Marine Corps youth (Boot camp) program at Camp Pendleton. My Sophomore year at Muir, a recruiter for the New Mexico Military Institute gave a presentation about NMMI to my JROTC class. I really wanted to attend the school, but my dad couldn't afford the tuition. After months of convincing (begging), praying, and a loan, I attended NMMI my junior year of high school. Unfortunately after that year, my father could not afford to send me back. I finished at John Muir High School.
At this point, I had already made up my mind that I wanted to be a Marine. Several times during my cadet years, I'd seen the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon at the Rose Bowl. My father and uncle also inspired me along the way. In 1988, I ended up joining the Marine Corps Reserve (5th Bn/14th Marines), an Artillery unit located (at the time) at Chavez Ravine in Los Angeles, next to the Los Angeles Police Academy.
In 1988, law enforcement wasn't quite on my radar yet. But some of my childhood friends from CAP changed that. I was 19 years old, and while in the Reserves,  got a (civilian) job and went back to school. I met and became friends with several police officers in my Marine Corps Reserve Unit. In 1990, my good friend from CAP, James Barr (Also a Marine), joined the LAPD. During the hiring process, he convinced me to apply. By this time, the television show "COPS" had been airing for less than a year, and we were both absolutely hooked. Although hiring freezes hindered me from joining the LAPD, I didn't give up. In 1992, I self sponsored myself through the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Academy, at the same time applying for multiple departments. I was hired by the Riverside Police Department in November 92. It's been quite a ride ever since, and I don't regret any of it.
Unfortunately, my younger brother Chris spent most of his adult life in and out of state prison, addicted to Heroin and Methamphetamine. He died of a Heroin overdose last year in Los Angeles (2010), while on Parole. My older brother Bryan is also a drug addict, and has been in and out of county jail and state prison for most of his adult life. He, as far as I know, is currently homeless in Los Angeles.
After working patrol for a number of years, I spent a good portion of my career working the gang unit, street level narcotics, and on a task force with the DEA. As anyone could imagine, it was (and is) very difficult to lose my brother Chris under those circumstances. But I'm motivated every day when I come to work, to do my little part in the fight. On a more positive note, my youngest brother Todd, who had problems initially in his life, just graduated from Cal State San Bernardino at age 40. I'm very proud of him.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER PATH AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
As stated, after spending 9 years in patrol, the majority of my assignments have been with our gang unit, and (street level) narcotics. I've been assigned with the DEA as a task force officer for the past 3 years.
DID YOU SERVE IN THE MILITARY PRIOR? AND IF SO, IN WHAT BRANCH OF SERVICE? IN WHAT WAYS HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
 Yes, I served in the U.S Marine Corps Reserve, 5th Bn 14th Marines (Artillery), in Los Angeles. I was in the FDC-0844 (Fire Direction Control), and also was an Artillery Scout Observer (0861-Second MOS). I served with many Marines who were also police officers, several who inspired me to become a police officer.
WHICH, OF THE AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS YOU WERE ASSIGNED TO, DO YOU HAVE THE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY?
I'm pretty much fond of all the assignments I've had so far, for different reasons. I always loved Patrol. I think working the Gang Unit was the most interesting, and fun. I grew up around gangs in Pasadena, so I was prepared for it (Patrol experience helped in that regard also.) Working gangs, you get the best of all worlds (sales of narcotics, murders, attempt murders, robberies, burglaries, etc.)  Being able to solve these crimes and put these guys away, for life in some cases, is/was a great feeling.
The undercover narcotics buy programs we did were fun. During multiple programs, we bought rock cocaine from gang members over a period of several months. Some gang members were bought up multiple times. It was fun to see them deny selling dope in court, then watch them cringe when we popped in the video recording..."Guilty, your Honor!" We spanked about 100 4-Tray Gangster Crips and sent them back home (Prison!).
FROM YOUR ENTIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR INCIDENT HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
A few years back, while a detective in the gang unit, we had a Christmas day shooting, where a gang member from our Casa Blanca neighborhood fired several shotgun slugs through a house and killed an 8 year old child. It was a retaliatory shooting from a shooting the night  before. The idiot shot at the wrong house. He was about 6 houses off. The family at the house just moved in from another city to get away from gang activity.
It was a tough case to solve, but it came together under the right circumstances. It absolutely was heartbreaking to see the mother testify about her 8 year old son, after hearing the shots, run through the hallway, where a shotgun slug passed through his chest. The son died within seconds in her arms.
Martin Valdez is now doing LWOP for that. Having a son myself, I cannot even imagine the pain.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS OR BADGES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
I've received numerous Commendations from my time working Gangs.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR CAREER MADE THE MOST POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON YOU AND WHY?
All of my FTO's while in training.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR CAREER THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Yes, I can think of many incidents that make me laugh. One in particular...I'm still made fun of because of this.
While working in the gang unit, I was at my desk and wanted to call a friend of mine who was a Probation Officer we often worked with.  He had a cell phone number that was similar to my cell phone number.
I used my desk phone, and not realizing what I did, called my own cell phone. As soon as my cell phone rang, I thought someone was calling me. I thought I would answer my cell phone really fast, before my friend answered on my desk phone. I answered my cell phone, and said "hello", of course, hearing the same "hello" on my desk phone. I still didn't realize what was happening. At this time, I had both phones up to my ears.
After talking to myself for several seconds, I hung up, only realizing later what I actually did. I thought it was too funny not to tell someone about it...my biggest mistake to date!
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER?
The biggest lesson I've learned is not to take it personal when your out doing your job, that could get you in trouble. A lot of people don't like the police, and in some cases, there is nothing you can do to change their mind. Just do the best you can do, and try to go home in a good mood!
WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP(S)?
 California Gang Investigators Association (CGIA).
California Narcotics Officer's Association (CNOA).
Keep's me up to date on current trends regarding dope and gangs. The best part is going to the conferences, meeting other investigator's and networking (Sometimes involves alcohol).
HOW HAS SERVING AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU CONDUCT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT?
I try to set a good example for those that know me, Cops and Civilians. For my family members, friends at my church, neighbors and others, it's important to set a good example because there's always a Cop out there ruining it for the rest of us.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR A ROOKIE WHO HAS JUST PUT ON THE BADGE?
 The advise I always give new cops is not to let the "John Wayne" syndrome take over...on or off-duty. I have known more new cops get in trouble during off-duty incidents (Bar fights), than any other type of incidents. Stay away from getting liquored up, and hitting the bar scene!!
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU FEEL THIS WEBSITE CAN BENEFIT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY?
This website provides a great opportunity to connect, and network with law enforcement people who have common experiences and interests. I enjoy looking at the photos, and learning a thing or two about my comrades in LE across the nation.
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Clint, and eight sisters, were born and raised very poor on a farm in Indiana. My grandfather was an alcoholic, a bootlegger, and needless to say, was very abusive to his children (In the 1940's, my grandfather was kicked out of the U.S. Army during WWII, for assaulting an officer.) My father and his siblings lived a hard life. My dad enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1958. He was a Baker/Cook for the first 4 years, re-enlisted, and spent 2 years on Embassy Duty. He discharged prior to Vietnam. His brother (My uncle Clint) joined the Marine Corps in 1965. He was in a Weapons Platoon for 3/1 (3rd Battalion, 1rst Marines) and was very lucky to survive a 1966 battle in Vietnam called Operation Utah. My father told me long ago, that if not for the Marine Corps, he would have most likely gone down the wrong path in life.
with their lives (College, Military service etc..) It was also CAP that sparked an interest in the military. While my brothers Chris, Bryan and Todd were serving time in Juvenile Hall, I was able to steer away from trouble. I basically became the white sheep of the family. 
got a (civilian) job and went back to school. I met and became friends with several police officers in my Marine Corps Reserve Unit. In 1990, my good friend from CAP, James Barr (Also a Marine), joined the LAPD. During the hiring process, he convinced me to apply. By this time, the television show "COPS" had been airing for less than a year, and we were both absolutely hooked. Although hiring freezes hindered me from joining the LAPD, I didn't give up. In 1992, I self sponsored myself through the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Academy, at the same time applying for multiple departments. I was hired by the Riverside Police Department in November 92. It's been quite a ride ever since, and I don't regret any of it.
Being able to solve these crimes and put these guys away, for life in some cases, is/was a great feeling.
before. The idiot shot at the wrong house. He was about 6 houses off. The family at the house just moved in from another city to get away from gang activity. 
He had a cell phone number that was similar to my cell phone number.
