Officer Roosevelt Hammett is a man of many talents. He has served as a police officer for 28 years (24 with the Baltimore Police Department, four with the University of Maryland, Baltimore Police Department), aspires to be a professional photographer, and is a great dancer. 

He didn't start his career as a police officer, though. While working at a processing plant in 1990, Hammett befriended a group of K-9 officers. “They saw something in me,” he says. “They encouraged me to become a Baltimore police officer.”

Since then, Hammett has enjoyed a long and fruitful career. His greatest achievement was being promoted to sergeant, he says, and he most enjoys the people he's met during his career.

One person who made an impact was a young woman going through crisis. Hammett was walking his beat when he found the woman crying. He took the time to speak with her and encourage her.

“Several years later, she approached me and asked [if I remembered her],” Hammett says. “She went on to say, ‘I wanted to kill myself, but your words of encouragement helped me through the darkest time in my life.’ ”

This lesson exemplifies Hammett's advice to the UMB community: “Encourage someone along the way. Be that example to someone and treat people with respect,” he says. “Continue your hard work and don't give up on your dreams.”

Outside of work, Hammett enjoys spending time with family, church, photography, and golf.