Rebecca Harding:
CLASS OF 1972
Del Valle High SchoolClass of 1972
Livermore, CA
California State University - Stanislaus CampusClass of 2000
Turlock, CA
Modesto Junior CollegeClass of 1990
Modesto, CA
Chabot CollegeClass of 1988
Hayward, CA
Granada High SchoolClass of 1973
Livermore, CA
Rebecca's Story
School
DON'T TRUST LIVERMORE SCHOOL DISTRICT! They lost my last quarter grades and told a prospective employer I never graduated because of this. I didn't find out until 22 years after I graduated!! They denied telling me records were lost from Del Valle High, said their microfiche records were complete, and if it didn't show enough units for graduation, "You never graduated as far as we're concerned."
Workplace
Although I am frequently encouraged to do so by workmates, I would never want to be a police officer. I do a lot of the same work they do, but I don't carry a gun or arrest people. I am a Community Service Officer with the Modesto Police Dept. and usually people are at least marginally happy to see me.
I started in the Records Division as a Police Clerk, in Feb. 1995. I spent 1.5 years in the Training Unit, then went back to Records. A little over two years ago, after much urging from co-workers, I tested and eventually was promoted to Community Service Officer.
At many agencies, CSO's are little more than "meter maids/men". At MPD, we handle anything considered low-risk that does not involve suspect contact. That means in a given shift, I might investigate...Expand for more
vehicle or residential burglaries; process a crime scene for evidence; take photos of injured or dead people; videotape statements from suspects & victims (as they are interviewed by cops); handle collisions; direct traffic; search a prisoner.
I love my job and the cops I work with. I have their respect because I am a hard worker and always willing to help them. I have helped "solve" several burglaries with fingerprint matches and put criminals in jail, and that is a good feeling.
I'm a training officer as well, so I have the opportunity to pass on my knowledge and experience to others - most gratifying. I am active in our Critical Incident Stress Management Team (peer counseling) which is the only way I'm currently using my B.A. in Psychology!)
My husband is a police officer and we are fortunate enough to work the same shift & squad, so we have the same time off. We look forward to retiring in six years, while still young enough to do something else. We plan to be involved in educating emergency service workers (police, fire, medical) about the effects of job stress and how to manage it.
I wouldn't want to do any other kind of work - it's the best job in the world!
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