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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Police Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
Traffic Officer J.W. (Jay) Repetto (1978-Present)
Whitesburg Police Department
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO MAKE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
 Actually my father, John Repetto inspired me. He was a career military officer in the United States Army, joining the Army when he was 17 and then proceeded to work his way through the "ranks" and into Officer Candidate school. My father was in the Army for 28 years before he retired. During those years I learned from him what Honor and family meant, and how a young man should treat others. So when it came time for me to decided what direction I was heading, I thought the military but I had an opportunity to get into law enforcement and, in doing so, I used my father as a guide to my career.
I still strive to meet his standards that he had set for himself and I try to pass those on to those I have contact with, including my own son who did join the Army and is now trying to get into law enforcement.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER PATH AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
 During my career, I had a goal of rising through the ranks, and maybe one day become a chief of police. I have had the opportunity to serve with different departments in and around the Metro-Atlanta area. I have the distinguished pleasure of being the "father" of a K-9 unit at one department, and also being the main reason that the department now has a SWAT team. I did move up through the ranks, and I did eventually become a Chief of Police which is a position I held for five years before leaving. I am now currently working full time in the private sector, and part time with a local police department as a patrolman and training officer.
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?
No, I never did take the military "plunge". I've been in law enforcement now for 30 years.
WHICH, OF THE AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS YOU WERE ASSIGNED TO, DO YOU HAVE THE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY?
 I would say off the top of my head, Doraville Police in Georgia. I was there 10 years and during that time I rose to the rank of Lt. I was the K9 unit commander and SWAT team leader and then SWAT commander. But my reputation has been with K9. Our department was one of a few that had decided to start a K9 unit at that time and I had the opportunity and experience to assist several agencies with their K9 and able to teach a lot of folks about the uses and tactics that come with a patrol K9. I met a lot of friends along the way during those years and I miss every dog that I ever had as a partner.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR INCIDENT HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I was involved in an incident during which I ended up in a fight over my service weapon. I was tracking the suspect with my K9 partner, Sgt. Blaster, when we came in contact with him. This resulted in a short foot chase and then an all out fight involving  myself and my K9 partner.
During the fight I was overpowered and the suspect was able to get my weapon out of my holster. I had a "death" grip on the gun with my left hand and my thumb was wedged in the trigger housing. The suspect use his feet/legs to try and break my grip on the gun, and resulted in breaking my right wrist (I'm right handed). My K9 during this time was biting and pulling on the suspect who would kick the dog or punch him off. My K9 also lost 2 teeth in this fight.
At then end the K9 never gave up and continued to attack the suspect until I was able to get my gun in a position were I could shoot. If it wasn't for my K9 partner I would not be here today, and for his actions, the United States Police K9 Association awarded him a K9 Medal of Valor. It was later found that the suspect was "high" on several types of drugs including cocaine. As a result of this incident I became a defensive tactics instructor and concentrated on K9 tactics and officer safety.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS OR BADGES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 I attended the F.B.I. National Academy in 2007 and graduated that Sept. I wear my FBI NA pin/medal on my uniform for two reasons. One to remember why I was chosen to go, and also that was a goal of mine for over 20 years to attend the Academy. I am so very proud to have been chosen to represent the State of Georgia that year with four other Georgians, but my reputation as a law enforcement officer, and hard work during my early years is what put my "name in the hat". I will and do honor that every day when wearing that pin/medal on my chest.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR CAREER MADE THE MOST POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON YOU AND WHY?
One of my earlier supervisors told me one time that everyone has a story to tell. I take that to heart when dealing with people in any situation. This even helped me with a barricaded suspect. During my career I've always said "there are two sides to every story." I believe that, and try to give all parties opportunity to to give their side of the story when needed. To this day I tell all younger officers and in classes that I've taught, the same "motto". That early supervisor I had when I first put on a badge made a difference and didn't even realize it.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR CAREER THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
 My of my first DUI arrests was on a dark 2 way road, early in the morning. The suspect was so drunk that he couldn't understand one of the field sobriety exam I was explaining/ demonstrating. (this was before Horz gaze, etc.). I was trying to get this guy to stand straight with his arms out and touch his nose one at a time, one of the "old stand-bys'. But he couldn't understand and he got on his knees in a squatting position and began to lean backwards with his arms outstretched and started signing. Couldn't understand him but I was laughing so hard I couldn't stop and another officer had to take over. To this day I still laugh. I wish we had video back then because that sure would have made the "Top 10 funniest videos".
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER?
Never take anything for granted. Officers today seem to forget and get complacent when it comes to tactics and officer safety. I have been guilty of this myself sometimes. If I could teach anyone one thing that they would remember for life, is always expect the unexpected and never, never forget officer safety. I know too many officers who are not with us today because of something that they didn't see or something said that wasn't taken as hint to what's about to come, or taking action a second or two later than they should have. We as officers tend to give reasonable doubt too quickly and don't act when we should.
WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP(S)?
 I'm a member or past member of a lot of associations, but the one that stands out right now if the FBI National Academy Associates and the Tactical Officers Association. The latter for obvious reason as I deal with tactics and they as an association have up to minute facts about incidents that have occurred we can learn from. They also have very valuable information on equipment and other matters. The FBI Associates is a membership organization for graduates of the FBI National Academy and their main goal is to network with other members particularly as a lot of graduates are from other countries. We have regional and National training seminars to keep up with our training and also a chance to meet other graduates and network.
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?
Not only as an officer, but as a human being, I have a different attitude or outlook towards life in general. I hold myself to higher standard than most civilians as do most other officers. I also hold myself to the "honor" system. I believe in Honor for God and Country, and I've passed this on to my children and friends. People who know me, know that If I say I'm gonna do something I'll do it, and they also know that I'm a "man of my word". Sure I make mistakes - I'm human we all do - but I still try to learn from those mistakes.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR A ROOKIE WHO HAS JUST PUT ON THE BADGE?
 Listen to your FTO and other training officers, but also seek out the veterans who been doing this job a lot longer than you have. Don't take everything you hear to heart, but take what little advice or education you get and put it in your "tool box" (brain) and continue to add to your "tool box" as the years go by. You'll find yourself going back to your "tool box" from time to time and remember that someone had told you about this incident or tactic and maybe it will help save a life. Don't look at a department and ask yourself "what can this department do for me?" but what can I do for this department?! We've have gotten away from this type of attitude and it's time we get back to giving back to the departments. And, don't forget, you're not here so the public can serve you, you are here to serve the public!
Protect and Serve. It still applies.
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU FEEL THIS WEBSITE CAN BENEFIT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY?
It already has helped me stay in touch with other officers from other departments that I served with, but also we can network with each other and seek information and advice on different problems, etc. You can also promote your individual departments on his website.
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who currently serve, or who previously served as a US Police or Federal Officer, and conveys how serving their Country and Community has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like your story to be featured in a future edition of Voices, or know someone else who may be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
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