Featured in our Police Communications Operator spotlight this month, we would like to introduce you to Cindy Harding. The job of a PCO is an often overlooked but no less important role within the law enforcement field.

Cindy quickly receives information from emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatches police, fire, and/or EMS to alleviate situations that endanger or potentially endangers lives or property. Cindy has been with the University of Maryland Baltimore Police for 23 years and, from the beginning, she has excelled. We thank PCO Cindy Harding for her service and continued relationship with UMBPF for years to come. Congratulations!

Q&A with PCO Cindy Harding

1. Who or what influenced you to become a part of law enforcement?
   • I was coming from a warehouse job and just needed a better income. I started with 2½ years as a security officer. My dad was working here at the time as a police officer, and that’s what got me here.
2. Knowing your job can get stressful at times, how do you maintain your sanity?
   • You just can’t let it get to you. I come here, do my job, go home, and do things that relax me. I have my hobbies. You can’t let things stress you out.
3. What do you love to do in your spare time?
   • Photography and music. I love playing the guitar.
4. What is your greatest achievement on the job?
   • I don’t think of myself that way, but I guess I’m the best on the cameras.
5. What is your greatest achievement outside of the job?
   • For the last 15 years of my life was just taking care of my dad, who just recently passed away.
6. What makes for a great day on the job?
   
   • You have to laugh and joke no matter how bad the day gets. You've got to have fun while you’re here.
7. What would you say to someone to encourage them to go into law enforcement?
   • When you take any type of job, you have to put your all into it because have to be committed to it. Doesn’t matter if its law enforcement or whatever you choose to do.
8. Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years?
   
   • I’ll be retired in 6½ years. That’s my goal at this point.