Our team doesn’t just talk the talk, they’ve walked the walk. A continuation of ‘Behind The Badge’, a blog series interviewing Utility’s team and discussing their experience in Public Safety.
Prior to joining the Utility team, Christopher Leroux began his career with the West Lafayette Police Department in Indiana as a Patrol Officer before advancing through the ranks to the position of Deputy Chief.
Chris joined the Utility, Inc. team as a Business Manager in 2019. In his current role as Strategic Account Manager he applies his over 25 years of knowledge in the public safety sector and his experience utilizing our life-saving technology to help serve the agencies he once worked alongside!
Chris sat with Utility’s Blog Editor to answer a few questions about his story:
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself Chris.
A: I served 29 years at the West Lafayette Police Department, retired as the Deputy Chief. I worked my way up through the ranks in the Patrol Division.
I was a certified Firearms instructor, SWAT Team member, Crisis Negotiator. I sat on numerous boards and committees for Juvenile Justice Reform and Child Advocacy.
I have been married for 35 years and have a son (Police Officer) and daughter (RN Hart recovery unit) . I have 4 wonderful grandchildren ages 3 to 7. I live in Fort Myers Fl.
Q: What inspired you to choose the path of working in
Law Enforcement?
A: I wanted to be part of a team, an organization, that worked with the community to solve issues and provide resources and services to those who needed help.
Q: What were some highlights from working in Law Enforcement?
A: In this profession you go on so many calls for service that affect people’s lives it’s hard to just list a couple, but when I retired I was presented the Distinguished Hoosier Award from then Gov. Mike Pence for all of the work in the community building relationships and providing resources above what is expected.
Q: What has been your biggest “lesson learned” that you’d like to share with other Law Enforcement leaders?
A: Be fair and honest with the people you deal with and hold them accountable as you will have an impact on their life. Always do the right thing even when nobody’s watching AND work hard at your profession to be the best, but don’t work so hard you forget to take care of the ones that love you, they also deserve your best.
Q: What does Transparency mean to you?
A: It means being accountable to the community we serve. It means as an organization we are open to review of police practices when things go well and in times of trouble. It does not mean we are always right, but that we are open to a community dialog.
Q: How have you seen Technology aid in Law Enforcement?
A: Technology has changed LE in such a dramatic way. It allows agencies to be so much better prepared to provide a service to the community in crisis and routine situations and allows our officers to work more safely with so many more tools in the toolbox to use to solve problems.
Q: What advice would you give to an agency that is going through the process of selecting a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS)?
A: Select a solution that fits the agency needs and community expectations. One that has the ability to bring in and share information from many different sources, find a solution that has the ability to grow and change as your needs do.
For questions and more information on Utility, Inc. email info@utilty.com
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