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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Police Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
CHF Roberto Obong (1994-Present)
Veteran's Affairs Police Department
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO MAKE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
I remember being in the islands watching black and white television from the neighbors tree. Yes, I had to climb a tree. That's what happen when you are poor and do not have the luxury of being able to afford to buy a television. LAPD SWAT and CHiPs were the  favorite show my neighbor used to watch. My neighbor was a Police Constabulary in Manila. It seems like a good outfit and it was about helping and saving lives. Prior to coming to the United States, my uncle was also a Special Police for the Los Angeles International Airport Police Department.
In order to compete with mass applicants in the future, I opted to join the Marine Corps first in order to get life experience. I am a Desert Storm and Somalia Veteran.
Prior to exiting the service, I spoke to my Uncle and asked if he believes Los Angeles Police Department would be a good fit as a profession and he said, "Indeed." I am a firm believer of being a "servant" and in this case the leadership skills I absorbed from the Marine Corps will truly enforce my mission as a "Servant Leader" within the law enforcement community and the city of Los Angeles with whom I provided service for nearly five years, West Covina Police for seven years, the Department of Defense for two years and the Veterans Affairs for two years.
We all know we are not going to be rich in public service, but we do it because it is moral, and a lifestyle we choose. The community benefits from our service and thus gives the individual the satisfaction.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER PATH AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
I joined the United States Marine Corps in 1988 and was honorably discharged in 1993. During that time span, I participated in Desert Storm and the Somalia Conflict.
From 1993 through1995, I was employed as an unarmed/armed Security Officer in the private industry and was later hired by the California Deparment  of Food And Agriculture as a Regulatory Officer and crossdecked with the United States Department of Agriculture specifically for the APHIS division.
In 1995 , I was appointed as a Los Angeles Police Officer and serve in several patrol divisions in the city (Hollenbeck, Foothill, Hollenbeck, DARE and Hollywood Division). During my tenure in LAPD, I was an Arrest and Control and CQB Instructor.
I left LAPD late 1999 as a Field Training Officer and joined the ranks of West Covina Police Department where I served until April 2006.
Between 2006 - 2008, I was deployed in Central Command area of responsibility as a Physical/Personal Security Specialist and upon returning to CONUS early 2008, I became the very first DOD Federal Deputy Police Chief in Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA. By early June, I became the Civilian Law Enforcement Program Manager in Tinker Air Force Base/Deputy Police Chief. By late September, I was selected and appointed as the Police Chief fthe United States Veterans Affairs Police Service site specific for Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center (TVAMC).
Early June 2011, I was mobilized to support Operations Eduring Freedom and deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan as II MEF RC(SW) Immediate Response Team Commander and as Marine Air Ground Task Force Support Battalion Anti-Terorist/Force Protection 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?
 I joined the Marine Corps back in June 23, 1988 and still serving since then. The Marine Corps thought me a lot of things. It made me stronger as an individual and a better person.
The Corps gave me the knowledge and power of service and true leadership. Protecting our freedom and serving those who requires service. It's quite humbling to know that I am not alone when it comes to providing service.
I learned how to apply "Servant Leadership" through my law enforcement lifestyle. The Corps and the Law Enforcement Community is quite similar in a sense of pride, honor, courage and commitment. Both institution relies heavily on camaraderie, preparation, performance and teamwork.
The sense of discipline in the military steered me to what I am now and what I am going to be in the future.
WHICH, OF THE AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS YOU WERE ASSIGNED TO, DO YOU HAVE THE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY?
All of them! Los Angeles Police Department gave me the opportunity to be groomed as a "street cop" and gaining the knowledge to be the best Law Enforcement Official with a personal attributes of a "Servant Leader".
LAPD gave me the reputation of having multiple felony arrest in a daily  basis coupled with court convictions. I gain a lot of experience in dealing with gangs and was a court appointed as a gang expert in several occasions. Had a lot of narcotics and grand theft auto arrests which also gave me the Master Grand Theft Auto Award. I was also a court appointed expert in narcotics sales, transportation, possession and under the influence. It is definitely fun making good arrests and making a difference in your beat.
West Covina Police Department gave me an opportunity to be versatile in solving crimes and also it gave me an opportunity to be a better writer on all crime and follow up criminal investigative reports I have completed.
The Department of Defense gave the edge in dealing with Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection related matters. It gave me the experience in conducting Vulnerability, Physical Security and Risk Assessments; High Threat and Critical Analysis. Working for DoD enhanced my managerial leadership abilities which prepared me to become a future Law Enforcement Executive.
The Veterans Affairs Police tested my managerial and leadership skills in molding a police institution to a collaborative team-based police service with the qualities and attributes of customer service and Veterans centric.
I am contributing to the mission, taking care of my employees and it's a fun lifestyle.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR INCIDENT HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
 When I was in West Covina Police Department, I was tasked on the south side of the city where the population were predominantly Filipinos. I built an outstanding rapport with the citizens and business of that part of town which made my job easier to solve crimes.
For instance, I received a crime report from a nearby store where property were taken by certain juveniles and fled the scene without any intent of paying for the items. I received a call from one of the vendors and store owners on the whereabouts of the juveniles and subsequently placed them in custody. They were successfully identified by several witnesses and the victim which led to their commercial burglary convictions and violation of their probation conditions.
This is a prime example of police and community partnership which led the department into success by building such a good relationship with the community and its citizens.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS OR BADGES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 The Tina Kerbrat Award means a lot to me. It's an award for the most improved police officer while attending the Police Academy. The other award that also means a lot to me was the Master Grand Theft Auto Award. The reason why it such an important award is because I arrested so many people who stole someone cars and it gave me such a great satisfaction to notify the owners/victim that their cars were located and they can have it back.
As a Police Officer, probably the most valuable badge was my LAPD "Shield" number 14653 which represents my commitment to the law enforcement community and my integrity to the institution and to the people whom I serve on and off duty.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR CAREER MADE THE MOST POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON YOU AND WHY?
All my Field Training Officer's who patiently gave me the best training possible which ultimately led me to where I am now. Also, Sgt Procaccini who gave me the opportunity to lead a Bicycle Team in Hollenbeck Division which ultimately gave me the experience to have my own crew and resolve crimes before it occurs. We had a great crew and a rock solid bicycle team.
And of course, Captain Michael Albanese who gave me an opportunity to be selected as a Field Training Officer in Hollywood Division. He is the epitome of Police Tactics, Techniques and Procedures.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR CAREER THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
 I recall stopping a gang member and he said, "Why are you harassing me again?" I told him I am not, but I am going to arrest him for having methamphetamine on his pocket and keys to a stolen car in his right rear pants pocket.
He replied, "What meth and what stolen car keys?" He reached in his pocket and said, "Oh I do have some in my right front pants pocket." He gave me clear ziploc bag with fresh cooked meth in it. I placed him under arrest for possession of meth and upon search of his person I located several Honda car keys and tried it with two of the cars parked two feet away from the arrestee and the vehicle opened. The plate comes back as a stolen car from two blocks away from where we were at. He later admit to all of the crimes he committed to include a house burglary two days before.
The incident was hilarious.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER?
It is not about me, it's about the service I provide to the community, my fellow law enforcement officer and to the city whom I provide service for.
WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP(S)?
 I am an active member of the International Association of Chief of Police (IACP). The benefits is networking and sustainment training specifically groomed and/or tailored for all law enforcement officers.
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?
It takes a special breed of individuals to be a law enforcement officer. You have to live your private life unsullied as an example to all, maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others; honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life.
You really have to balance your lifestyle as a police officer both on and off duty. Always mindful of doing the right thing and "not taking work home."
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR A ROOKIE WHO HAS JUST PUT ON THE BADGE?
 If you are not a people person, law enforcement is not the lifestyle you should be in because it is the most complicated problem of business.
"Police Officers need to think beyond their role only as Police Officers and understand the broader picture of how they fit and contribute to the needs of the entire organization." (Obong, 2010).
Law enforcement is not about you, it's about your community and the people you provide the best customer service possible.
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU FEEL THIS WEBSITE CAN BENEFIT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY?
This website is not just a website. It is a place where you can reach out to your fellow law enforcement officers and share ideas, thoughts and memories. Definitely another door for networking and creating a window for future opportunity for someone and also for yourself. It is a place where you can definitely find camaraderie, family and perhaps a place you can call "home."
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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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For all current serving and veteran Police Officers, Together We Served is a secure, feature rich website enabling Officers to reconnect with lost Brothers and Sisters, share in the camaraderie of other Officers, network for professional purposes and to honor the service of all.
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