Dallas Police Officer Bervin Smith is doing what comes naturally to him.
“I’ve always been nosy, and I love the thrill and excitement of catching the bad guy,” Smith says. “I know I’m making a difference in someone’s life.”
Smith, and Interactive Community Police Officer for the City’s Northeast Division, has been in law enforcement for six years, and he says he’s right where he wants to be.
Being and I.C.P. officer is more fulfilling than his previous job as a bank accountant because he is making a positive difference in the lives of neighborhood residents.
Smith is one of 12 officers in the I.C.P. program, which was implemented two years ago in an effort to bridge the gap between citizens, City organizations and police officers. Smith patrols the Hamilton Park Area and a portion of Abrams and says he helps solve problems so officers can make more arrests.
Smith makes calls to residents whose home security alarms have been activated and makes sure they have valid permits and are familiar with their systems. He also refers residents and the City’s homeless to different agencies for help and works with several crime prevention groups.
“People know us by name and know they can call us,” Smith says. “We become accountable to them and want to see their problems solved.”
Smith is active in the Police and Kids Together (P.A.K.T.) Softball League and is a substitute teacher for the Law Enforcement Teaching Students (L.E.T.S.) program.
