Amanda Clay
Police Officer, Alpharetta (GA) Department of Public Safety
I began my career in Law Enforcement at the age of 14 when I joined the City of Alpharetta’s Law Enforcement Exploring program; I initially joined the Exploring program because spending time with like-minded people was appealing to me, but soon I realized that a life of service to others was exactly what I had been missing and wanting. To this day I credit Alpharetta’s Police Exploring program with helping me become the person I am today – in fact, I met the young man who would one day become my husband while serving in the Exploring Program. Today we run the same post we grew up in – together as partners in our careers and in life. If I had to choose my proudest moment in my career so far, it would be getting the chance to run the Police Exploring program and pass on my passion for life and Law Enforcement to future generations. What an honor it is to be entrusted with the future of our profession.
This is an old Picture of me when I was an Alpharetta Police Explorer in August of 2008
Being a Police Officer changed me in ways that I never expected it would – at a young age I had already seen things that others twice my age had never seen and hopefully never will. However, I believe that being a Police Officer has changed me for the better overall. I would like to think that I no longer take things for granted as often as I might have in the past. This job teaches you that life is precious, fragile, and often fleeting and that every moment should be savored. It is this philosophy that I try to let guide me as I work from day to day. I try to help those that I come into contact with leave me a little better than they were. If I can help someone onto a path towards healing then I consider that encounter a success- even if it ends in a resolution that could be seen in a negative way, like arrest.
I wish others who are not in the Law Enforcement profession would realize that we are all more than the uniforms that we wear, we are more than badges, weapons, and what Hollywood portrays. We are your neighbors, family, brothers, and sisters; we have bad days and good days just like everyone else. As I go through my career it always has been and always will be my hope that I can make a positive change in my community that is long lasting and leaves behind a legacy that speaks to the humanity of us all- including the Police Officer and that any of us can be agents of change. All we need is faith the size of a mustard seed and the willingness to put forth the effort required of us.
