RICHMOND, VA –
Richmond, VA., May 13, 2019 – National Police Week takes place May 13 – 17 in 2019. As part of Police Week observances, Defense Logistics Agency Aviation and DLA Installation Management Richmond, Virginia, spotlight Officer Nicholas Lang, who selflessly secures and protects Defense Supply Center Richmond, its people and our neighbors every day.
According to policeweek.org, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed and designated May 15, 1962 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Events have been celebrated since this time to honor police officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect our nation’s communities.
1. Name:
Nicholas Lang
2. How long have you been in law enforcement?
I have been in law enforcement for about five years.
3. What made you decide to go into law enforcement and public service?
I have always enjoyed helping people since I was in the Marine Corps. My interest to go into law enforcement and public service really grew when I was getting my bachelor’s degree. After graduation, I started in the Virginia Department of Corrections before getting my job within the DLA Aviation police department. Working for the department really drives home the fact that I made a great career decision. Every day I work with really great officers and great supervisors and management who really care about making a difference.
4. What is your most memorable event from your job as a police officer?
The most memorable event from my career as a police officer was the time I was called and offered the job. I was excited to start a great career, work alongside great people and go to the police academy.
5. What is your greatest achievement on the job?
My greatest achievement on the job was becoming a law enforcement Instructor and a field training officer. To help teach my fellow officers new skills and help train and mold new officers is very rewarding. I continually try to learn as much as possible in order to better myself and others around me to make our police department the best it can be.
6. What’s the most rewarding thing about being a police officer?
The most rewarding thing about being a police officer is waking up every day knowing that I am doing my part in making the community a better and safer place, and helping people every day. Whether it's by helping you change a tire on the side of the road, showing a little compassion and empathy on a traffic stop or at a crash scene, or helping you see that justice is done if you're a victim of a crime, there truly is nothing like the feeling that I've done something to make someone else's life just a little better. I find that it's not just a job – being a part of this department becomes part of who and what you are, and there are not many professions out there that can be as rewarding as working at Defense Logistics Agency.
7. Have you had any mentors in your career? If so, how have/did they help?
I have had many mentors in my career but the ones that stick out are some of the senior officers, supervisors and managers in the department. Their experience, knowledge and dedication really show when it comes to helping the officers in the department grow and learn. My fellow officers and the leadership has really helped me to learn as much as I can on a daily basis and to become a good officer. I appreciate it every day and am proud to work alongside such team players.
8. How do you define excellence (as related to being a law enforcement officer)?
Excellence is mastering your craft. To obtain excellence as an LEO, one has to remain calm, focused, in control and confident, draw on their training and preparation, and perform heroically in the middle of tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving events.
9. What makes for a great day on the job?
A great day on the job for me is that everyone in the community and in the department goes home safe. Talking with all the different people in our community really makes you appreciate each and every one of them. As police officers, we work among the general public every day. Whether we are providing security services at check points, events or patrolling the streets to ensure citizens’ safety, we are talking to people for at least half of our work day. To be a good police officer, we must truly care for people—those you know, those you don’t, and those you’ll meet some day in the future and when all those people can go home safe, that’s a great day on the job.
10. What would you say to someone to encourage them to go into public service?
There are lots of public service careers both in and outside of law enforcement. Public safety (fire and EMS etc.), education, government and diplomacy, and non-profit organizations are all examples of fulfilling public service career fields. Having a military and/or college background will always help. If the military is not for you, try taking a few college classes to learn more about the public service field. Consider your life situation, goals, and priorities before embarking in a career in public service. Working for the public offers many benefits such as a sense of purpose, opportunities to learn and grow and a means of making a difference in your community, but it is not for everyone. If you like helping people and making a difference then a career in public service is a great place to look!