Richmond, Va –
As part of National Police Week virtual observances, Defense Logistics Agency Aviation and DLA Installation Management at Richmond spotlight Capt. Greg Bock, who selflessly secures and protects Defense Supply Center Richmond, its people and our neighbors every day.
President John F. Kennedy designated May 15, 1962 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. This year National Police Week is celebrated virtually May 9-15 honoring police officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect our nation’s communities.
Name: Greg Bock
How long have you been in law enforcement (all together and at DSCR)? Altogether, I’ve been in public service as a law enforcement officer for 21 years. I have been on the DLA police force for eight months.
What made you decide to go into law enforcement and public service? I used to watch an old black and white television show, called “F-Troop” with my father when I was around six years old. This one particular episode had a huge focus on military police. I looked at my father and told him that I wanted to be a military policeman. As a young driver, I had the unfortunate luck of being stopped by a police officer who was anything but professional. He was nothing what I imagined a police officer to be, and I knew that he was not fit for the uniform or the profession. That instance furthered my want to get into law enforcement so I could make positive impacts on peoples’ lives in uniform rather than what that specific officer had shown me of the profession. So, I became a military police officer first, then transitioned over to a civilian police officer.
What is your most memorable event from your job as a police officer? Unfortunately, whenever this question is asked, it takes me immediately to a call that is heartbreaking and scary. It was a domestic situation and sadly, after hours of negotiating with one of the parties involved, they ended up taking their own life. I think it is important to share that aspect of this career because most of our encounters are dealing with bad situations or even deadly ones. However, we want to project the positivity of the police and the good we do for people.
What is your greatest achievement on the job? My greatest achievement is coming home to my wife, two sons and daughter every night, safe and sound. Not all police officers are able to do that.
What’s the most rewarding thing about being a police officer? The most rewarding thing about being a law enforcement officer, for me, is the pride, honor, loyalty and dedication I have to this profession. We are a group of brave men and women who go to work every single day, have to wear a vest to protect us from getting shot, carry a firearm to protect others as well as ourselves from harm and we do this every day and night, holidays, weekends, birthdays and anniversaries. We do this for people we have never met and may never see again. This takes a special breed of person. I am proud to have “that gene” in my body that makes me part of this elite family. Simply putting on that uniform every day and being able to call myself a law enforcement officer is the greatest reward.
Have you had any mentors in your career? If so, how have/did they help? I have taken something away from every supervisor and subordinate I have ever worked with and for, from my first job at Wal-Mart as a stocker, to my position as a police officer here at DLA. I feel as though a good leader will learn from everything and everyone around them, from taking good points away and adding them to your own style, to remembering the bad things and ensuring you never find yourself making those mistakes. The greatest influence on my career was that unprofessional officer I mentioned earlier who stopped me for a traffic violation. That drove me to never treat anyone like that during my career.
How do you define excellence, as related to being a law enforcement officer? Excellence, to me, as it pertains to law enforcement is not a short answer. Excellence is holding yourself and your fellow officers to the highest standards. Of course, this is professionally, but it does not stop there. As a law enforcement officer, excellence is also required in your personal life. You must demonstrate the highest level of integrity, courage, knowledge, crisis management and manners. You are expected to be a teacher, a psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, lawyer, doctor, mechanic and be everywhere at once. You have to be an authoritative figure, but also know how and when to be more of a listening ear and best friend. Excellence to me is knowing what this profession entails and striving each and every day to be a better you than the day before.
What makes for a great day on the job? A few things make it a great day. No citizens were injured, all my officers are going home to their families, hearing an adult saying “thank you” or a child waving at us as we pass by in our patrol cars.
What would you say to someone to encourage them to go into public service? I am not sure anyone who knows they are meant to be a police officer needs encouragement. If someone tells me they are thinking about this profession or not quite sure, I may word it nicer, but it is not for them. You do not come into this career to “try” it or “see how it is.” I truly believe that each man and woman who wears a shield on their chest and has taken a sworn oath to protect and serve knew in their hearts this was where they were meant to be. Those who did enter this profession to try or see how it is, they find out quickly enough that it is more than they are willing to take on.