1. Career Interview
Marc Butler
Police officer (Sergeant) for the New Carrollton Police Department
1. What do you do in your job?
In my job I protect and serve the residents of New Carrollton Maryland and
neighboring cites. This is through fighting white collar crimes, vandalism,
robbery, motor-vehicle accidents, illegal drug use, gang issues, domestic violence,
murder; I mean the list goes on.
2. What is a typical day like for the position?
Well since I am a patrol officer I usually wait for a call on my radio, that is if I
don’t see anything suspicious going on. But really there is no typical day for a
patrol officer. I might spend one day answering calls for service all day long and
not have five minutes for preventive patrol. The next day I might get a call five
minutes into the shift and then spend the rest of the day investigating it. The next
day I might have court and spend all day in court. The following day might be
dead and I might decide to concentrate on a particular area where people have
complained about traffic issues and might spend the day writing tickets in that
area. The next day I can be out on a crime scene chasing criminals with bullets
flying at me. So, really there is no typical day because police work has so much
variety that nothing is typical.
3. What hours do you work?
I work eight hour shifts, five days a week, with a mixture of day and evening
shifts. At least that's what the printed schedule says. The actual schedule happens
around the department' needs. I might have to work overtime, not by choice, and
even holidays.
4. What school subjects are important for this job?
I would say English, any government classes and psychology. It is good to know
why and how people act the way they do and what should be done in those
situations.
5. How and when did you decide to enter this job?
Wow. Haven’t been asked this question in a long time. I think I decided to be a
cop around the end of my junior year in high school. I was no A-B student, so I
was always interested in the military or some type of law enforcement. I was also
somewhat influenced by the movie “Bad Boys.”

2. 6. What are the most rewarding aspects of the position? What are the most
challenging components of the position?
The most rewarding aspects of my job are definitely the helping of others and
knowing that I have the trust of the community, hands down. The most
challenging components, I would have to say would be, getting calls on my radio
that are life treating to me and the citizens in the area.
7. Did you have a career plan that you followed?
Unfortunately, I did not. After high school I started working at a delivery service.
However, I eventually went to college and got into the police academy.
8. What major changes have happened in your career area since you have
been working?
The crime rate has went significantly down and the number of people wanting to
join the force have increased.
9. Would you change anything about your job?
No, not at all. This is what I signed up for.
10. Did school prepare you adequately for your work?
To be honest, not really. In my opinion school does not give students enough real
world knowledge to be prepared for the “real world” where they will be placed in
real situations.
11. How do you coordinate your family/home/job responsibilities?
Well, I pray everyday before I leave to hope that I can come back to my family.
But I really don’t coordinate it. On my off days and when I am off my shift I try
and spend as much time with my family. Kind of like, as if everyday is my last.
12. What personal characteristics are important in your job?
Absolutely being able to work under frightening, dangerous, and harsh conditions.
You can’t be scared in this line of work. Also, being patient, trying to understand
different people point of view and being strong mentally. Some of the things
officers see can take a toll on their private life and you can’t let the affect the way
you work.