Date: 11/20/2019
SOUTHWICK – After spending several years at the Southwick Police Department before heading to the Police Academy, Officer Kelly Parks is back on the job.
Parks graduated from the academy Nov. 8.
Parks, a Southwick native, said she initially worked for the Southwick Police Department as a reserve officer starting in 2017. She became a provisional officer in November of 2018 before heading to the academy on June 10 of this year.
“I basically filled shifts when I could,” she said. “I quit my other job to live and breathe at the department to at least show I was interested in a full time position. Eventually it paid off, I did all the cell watches, a lot of details, and I made myself available for the department.”
Parks said Nov. 8 was a bigger day to her than just graduating from the academy as it was also her birthday and she got engaged, all on the same day.
Parks reflected on her experience in the academy and said, “It was extensive, it was tough, challenging yet fun. It was something I will never forget that trained me to be a true professional police officer.”
She added the new curriculum was a big benefit during her time at the academy.
“I loved that the new curriculum was focused on people skills. That was definitely beneficial even for someone like me who has had time on the job, it enhanced the people skills that we need,” she said.
Parks said that one of the biggest things she learned from the academy is that she cannot use pepper spray. “I found out I’m highly allergic to pepper spray. I was in the hospital for three days after it. It was awful,” she said.
Parks said she is excited to be back at the department after her time at the academy.
“It’s almost like I never left and it’s getting back into the swing of things. It’s like being back at home,” she said.
Now Parks is facing a different kind of challenge being back at the department, the overnight shift that lasts from 12 to 8 a.m. “It’s a different beast to work with since I used to be on the day shift prior to the academy. But it’s definitely more fun,” Parks said.
Southwick Police Chief Kevin A. Bishop said it’s been nice for her because she is working with one of the most senior officers at the department. “Her sergeant has been on midnights for 22 or 23 years, so it’s a nice combination to have the newbie with a very senior, veteran officer.”
Parks added, “I’m with him all four nights, it’s fantastic. I think I asked him questions for two hours straight on my first night.”
Parks said she hopes to advance in the police department. “I’m definitely looking forward to the different levels I can reach in this department. I feel like this department has a lot to offer, even though we’re a small department. There’s a lot of different avenues I can take,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to a long, prosperous career here with the Southwick Police Department,” she added.