Spartans of UD - Ava Jorin

Spartans of UD highlights what makes the University of Dubuque special - the people.

Ava Jorin, of Staten Island, New York, is a junior criminal justice and sociology double major. She has been a Community Resource Officer (CRO) with the Dubuque Police Department since May 2022.

What inspired you to become a Community Resource Officer?

"I was inspired to become a Community Resource Officer because I have always wanted to work in law enforcement. I wasn't sure if I wanted to travel this far for school, but I knew my purpose was out here in Dubuque. At the end of freshman year, I applied for the position and have had it since; I absolutely adore the community of Dubuque and I am so grateful that I get to work for such a wonderful department.

"My dad was a sergeant with the NYPD, and I have been inspired by him my whole life. He has such an important outlook on life, which was shaped by the help of law enforcement. Having the internship means a new perspective, and I have learned so much in terms of what it means to be an officer, and what it means to be human."

For those unfamiliar with the position, what do you do as a Community Resource Officer?

"As a Community Resource Officer, I am an intern for the Dubuque Police Department. For the last two years, I have rode on patrol, worked with the Community Oriented Police, helped with bike patrol, and worked special events like the firework celebration downtown! I get to respond to any call an officer does alongside the officer that I am assigned to that day. We go on calls ranging from traffic stops, to lost dogs, to big once-in-a-lifetime cases, and my adrenaline has never gone away. I have learned how to write reports and how to give tickets, and I am so much more familiar with my community as well as new communities. My favorite thing to do during the summer is go to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque. I absolutely adore all of the kids who attend, and it just helps us build a sense of trust for law enforcement. I would definitely recommend this position to someone who wants to work in law enforcement one day, because it surely confirmed that being a police officer is what I want to do after college."

What do you hope the children you meet will take away from their interactions with you?

"I hope that the children I meet know that whether we wear red, yellow, or blue, we will always protect them. I have met the sweetest kids throughout my time with Dubuque Police, and I have also watched some turn their lives around completely for the better. One thing that means the world to me is when kids walk past us and wave, or simply say hello; it means that they trust us to always protect them. I hope to someday work with kids through the police department. We have amazing specialty teams, like the COPs (Community Oriented Police) and School Resource Officers that work closely with kids in the schools in Dubuque. Kids are the face of our future, and it is important to build the same sense of community with them as we do with everyone else."

What do you enjoy most about being a Community Resource Officer?

"The thing that I enjoy most about being a CRO is the people that I meet. I look up to every single officer in the Dubuque Police Department, and I hope to someday be as skilled as them. I have built close relationships with officers, and they mean the world to me. I know that this is where I am supposed to be because I don't consider it a job, I consider it a passion. I have a drive to help everyone in the community, and even if they don't accept the help at first, I want Dubuque to know that I will always see the best in everyone and help anyone in need. I wouldn't be who I am today without the department and the people I have met along the way. The officers have helped me establish my career, and I couldn't thank them enough. I have so much support with what I want to do in life, and it's all thanks to the department and the wonderful, courageous, strong officers that we have."

In your opinion, what makes the University of Dubuque unique?

"The University of Dubuque is unique to me because of our closeness. Everyone knows someone. Because we are such a small university, we are able to build relationships with professors and peers. I wouldn't have known about the internship if it weren't for the professors here, especially for J. Shook, K. Hilby, and P. Baskerville. They have become the most important people in my life, and I am so grateful to have them by my side. I never would have thought professors would have such an impact in my life, but I have them to thank most of all. I have made so many close friends, and they have all become so important in my life. The internship, my relationships, and my life are all changed now because I decided to attend UD. I am so honored to be a part of this school, and so grateful that I have gotten the opportunity to talk about my internship. I also have my parents to thank, because even though they are back in New York, they have supported me throughout my whole journey here. Everyone throughout my journey here has been by my side and supported me through it all, and my journey would have not been the same without the University of Dubuque."