When Drew Pearson puts on his nearly 25-pound uniform, polished off with his City of Roy badge, he feels a great sense of responsibility to serve his community.
“I hold myself to the highest standard. When you wear the uniform, people look up to you. It’s a responsibility, and it means a lot to me,” he said.
Pearson is less than a month into his new job as a City of Roy Police officer, and he already envisions a future for himself in Roy. He was sworn in as the city’s newest officer during the city council’s Oct. 23 meeting.
“I hope to have a long career here,” he said. “I wouldn’t even say hope. I think I will have a long career here.”
Pearson, 24, served as a combat engineer in the United States Army out of high school and continues to serve in the National Guard. He began his law enforcement career as an officer in the City of Tacoma Police Department, and while he said he enjoyed the one-year experience, he longed to make an impact in and interact with a smaller community like Roy.
“I just always liked being the person that’s there to help and can be relied upon to make a difference,” he said. “I always knew this was a job where you could make a difference, even in the most basic ways. Like if somebody waves at you and you wave back, you just made somebody’s day.”
Pearson established these values growing up in Hawaii, noting that the police there “weren’t intimidating or uptight.” He hopes to educate rather than enforce and be a presence in the community.
He said that the community has given him a warm welcome in his first weeks on the job, and he has learned a lot about matters in the city that residents are concerned about, including improving crosswalks and the city park.
Pearson’s addition marked the doubling of the City of Roy Police Department, joining Chief Paul Antista. Antista said that hiring Pearson not only helps him focus on his administrative duties but also brings a positive attitude and an educative approach to the job.
“He’s not just hammering people for violations. He’s taking the time to explain to them why certain things need to be done, and he’s always doing it with a smile on his face,” Antista said. “It’s been a pleasure having him here. It’s a plus that he wants to stay here for a long time.”
