Statement of Purpose
Throughout my adult life, there has been a constant and strong connection to Sociology and, in particular, the law. My professional life has seen an on-going theme of law enforcement and protection, which I have always seen Sociology as being supportive of. As my career progresses, it is becoming increasingly clear that I need to build upon my previous education to better meet the demands of my profession. Equally, it is a dream of mine to teach Sociology at university level and I see achieving my master’s degree as being the first stepping stone on that journey.
Prior to my foray into university study, I underwent significant law enforcement academy training as a Deputy Explorer with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. This piqued my interest in law enforcement and exposed me to the variety of people which LA has to offer. Through this, I became interested in the behaviour of individuals, the social trends which form in a troubled society such as Los Angeles, and the reasons behind which these difficulties arise at all, and so my interest in Sociology grew. During this time, I achieved a number of awards including Honor Recruit, Award of Merit, and Award of Recognition. I feel that this demonstrates the pride I take in my work.
Following my completion of my undergraduate degree in Sociology, for which I was placed on the Dean’s list, I took a job at California State University as a Delegate in the Legislative Connection. Within this role, I was mainly focused on handling legislative issues which did, or potentially could, affect the university. Following this, I carried out the role of Export Compliance Associate at TestEquity, which saw me handling the legislative side of exports, ensuring that documentation was carried out fully and correctly. Whilst these roles were fascinating, I found myself missing the bustle of law enforcement and, since 2006, I have been a Police Officer with the Simi Valley Police Department. Since joining the department, I have already completed one master’s degree in Public Administration for which I was recognised on the Chancellor’s List, defining me as being in the top 1% of the nation’s students, as well as being placed on the Dean’s list, once again.
My work places a large emphasis on the interaction with and understanding of the general public. In particular, my current role as a Hostage Negotiator requires me to have an exemplary and in-depth comprehension of the sociological motivations which drive individuals to commit crimes. Other aspects of my role include Terrorism Liaison Officer, Explorer Advisor, and I am a member of the department’s Technical Services Team, as well as some teaching of new recruits. It goes without saying that my role is a diverse and demanding one which requires me to be discerning, focused and capable. In recent years, the role of a police officer has grown in public expectation and, as such, I feel that it is crucial that I am educated in the most current sociological trends, with a particular focus on crime and law enforcement.
In short, my purpose for wishing to complete a master’s degree in Sociology is to be able to improve my understanding and service to the public, and to be enabled to teach Sociology to undergraduate students. The main drive behind every aspect of my professional life is a desire to keep the community safe from the dangers of the criminal world. Law enforcement is a constantly-evolving field and requires me to be up to date with all social trends. A master’s degree would mean a current appreciation of these as well as providing me with the right tools to progress my career and uphold the law to its fullest extent.
