“ It’s like déjà vu all over again”.
_-Yogi Berra
Twenty years ago, I approached the Fremont Chief of Police, Bob Wasserman, with the proposition of spending time with a rookie officer, recording the experience. For most of us, there is limited interaction with police and, unfortunately often in times of distress or duress. My goal was to reveal the person behind the badge.
As it turned out, Fremont Police Department had just welcomed three new rookie officers, back from basic training, into their ranks. They now faced training under a Field Training Officer to qualify for patrol duty. During our subsequent meetings, Officers Matt Snelson, Matthew Bocage and Ramin Mahboobi shared their triumphs and tribulations as they began their new careers. The series of interviews was published in the Tri-City Voice each week. All three passed their field training requirement and the meetings ended. During the intervening years I had occasional contact and watched their progress through the ranks of the Fremont Police Department.
Recently, Captain Matt Snelson was honored by the Fremont City Council for 20 years’ service with the Fremont Police Department. In his remarks, he mentioned Lieutenants Bocage and Mahboobi who began their careers with him. Wow! It was a shock to remember the three young officers, fresh from academy training who shared their thoughts and experiences as they progressed through field training. All three not only completed the grueling test of community policing, but have excelled, moving through the ranks to become senior officers in the department.
From personal contact with these men, I not only respect their commitment to the community, but admire their personal fortitude and achievements. As with all facets of our communities, formal hierarchy and structure may seem intimidating, but behind it are people with all the hopes, dreams and challenges of others.
When Sharon and I started our publishing career, we were fortunate to meet and form relationships with many community members whether elected officials or those behind the scenes. Almost without exception, we were warmly received and treated with respect. On a personal basis, those serving the public are doing the same balancing act as everyone else… personal values, family, friends. Although competing interests can create tension and dissention, our communities have weathered these storms, in no small part due to the efforts of public servants at all levels. These accolades come with a caveat that the system and its personnel are not perfect (who is?) and therefore, require and demand critical attention from all of us. We, at Tri-City Voice have and will continue to provide a public forum for praise and disagreement with local personnel, policy and challenges. It is good practice to keep in mind that cities, counties, school and special districts are simply formal titles for a group of fellow residents working toward a pleasant and safe environment.
Yogi Berra, known for contradictory, goofy sayings, may have had this right. Looking back (déjà vu) all over again may offer a valid perspective when weighing future actions. For all those who have served our communities with honor and passion, we offer our thanks.
A limited quantity of Rookie Log, a compilation of interviews with Captain Snelson and Lieutenants Bocage and Mahboobi during their field training is available at Tri-City Voice. Stop by for a copy.