Interview #1: Deputy T Wilkinson
What is your favorite ride at Busche Garders?
The new rollercoaster that replaced The Big BAd Wolf. Its called Dark Forest.
What department of the Sheriff's Office do you work?
Property.
What are your hours?
Either 6 pm to 6 am or 6 am to pm. Depends if I'm on for nights or days.
Which shift do you prefer?
I like the 6 pm to 6 am because I'll go on a run at 6 as soon as I'm off! When I get off at 6 pm I'm just so tired.
How often are you off?
Here, we are off 15 days a month and we rotate weekends.
What is your job to do in Property?
I take and box incoming inmates clothes as they come through intake or I give their clothes back upon their relase.
Everything is written up in the book and then typed into the computer. Every item of clothing must be documented.
What if the clothes are never picked up?
They are either destroyed or donated.
Approximately how many people come in through intake during your night shift?
Probably about 20 on a weeknight but about 40 on weekends.
What are the majority of these people brought in for?
DUI's or driving without a license. Driving without a license has become huge.
Why do you think that is?
Well, people don't take it seriously when their license is evoked. Those in Portsmouth who have jobs will
always complain that there is no bus or public transportation. It makes sense but you've got to move then.
The law is the law.
What is something you enjoy doing away from work?
Besides spending time with my family, I love riding my bike. And I think more people would ride their bikes places if
the roads were more biker friendly. Many roads don't have a shoulder or lane for bikers.
The new rollercoaster that replaced The Big BAd Wolf. Its called Dark Forest.
What department of the Sheriff's Office do you work?
Property.
What are your hours?
Either 6 pm to 6 am or 6 am to pm. Depends if I'm on for nights or days.
Which shift do you prefer?
I like the 6 pm to 6 am because I'll go on a run at 6 as soon as I'm off! When I get off at 6 pm I'm just so tired.
How often are you off?
Here, we are off 15 days a month and we rotate weekends.
What is your job to do in Property?
I take and box incoming inmates clothes as they come through intake or I give their clothes back upon their relase.
Everything is written up in the book and then typed into the computer. Every item of clothing must be documented.
What if the clothes are never picked up?
They are either destroyed or donated.
Approximately how many people come in through intake during your night shift?
Probably about 20 on a weeknight but about 40 on weekends.
What are the majority of these people brought in for?
DUI's or driving without a license. Driving without a license has become huge.
Why do you think that is?
Well, people don't take it seriously when their license is evoked. Those in Portsmouth who have jobs will
always complain that there is no bus or public transportation. It makes sense but you've got to move then.
The law is the law.
What is something you enjoy doing away from work?
Besides spending time with my family, I love riding my bike. And I think more people would ride their bikes places if
the roads were more biker friendly. Many roads don't have a shoulder or lane for bikers.
Interview #2: Valerie Ogden
What does your job entail?
My job is known as Clerk but my position is called a "civilian employee."
What degree do you have?
I have an associates degree in education and I originially worked in the Virginia Beach school system.
How long have you worked here?
It's been 3 years.
Do you like your job?
I work too hard for too little pay. I don't think this department is given the credit they deserve.
What is rewarding about this job?
While some of the inmates are obviously not great people, I actually enjoy seeing how happy they get when they see that they're recieving mail.
Doesthis job differ from your original view of it?
I thought the job sounded boring and... it is.
How much contact do you have with the inmates?
I am face to face with them when i distribute the mail.
Do you read the mail that goes out of the jail?
Not usually.
Have you ever read mail from someone you know?
Yes.
What makes you get through every day?
Most all of us in the department get along. We are alway laughing and joking around. If we didn't, the job would be pretty gloomy.
My job is known as Clerk but my position is called a "civilian employee."
What degree do you have?
I have an associates degree in education and I originially worked in the Virginia Beach school system.
How long have you worked here?
It's been 3 years.
Do you like your job?
I work too hard for too little pay. I don't think this department is given the credit they deserve.
What is rewarding about this job?
While some of the inmates are obviously not great people, I actually enjoy seeing how happy they get when they see that they're recieving mail.
Doesthis job differ from your original view of it?
I thought the job sounded boring and... it is.
How much contact do you have with the inmates?
I am face to face with them when i distribute the mail.
Do you read the mail that goes out of the jail?
Not usually.
Have you ever read mail from someone you know?
Yes.
What makes you get through every day?
Most all of us in the department get along. We are alway laughing and joking around. If we didn't, the job would be pretty gloomy.
Interview #3: Kevin Rosenberger
What is the title of your position?
A Deputy Sheriff and the Inmate Program Coordinator.
What training did you have to complete?
I had to complete an Academy and Defensive Tactics program which was almost 5 months.
Did you have early interest in this profession?
No. But my father was a sheriff too.
Would you choose the same job? Why or Why not?
Yes, because the oppertunities are endless!
Since the positions rotate which on did you like the least?
Working intake was very hard and stressful because they people being brought in, obviously do not want to cooperate.
How lmuch time have you spent in this profession?
I have worked here for 11 years. I started as a clerk when I was just 18.
What does it take to be successful in this position?
You must be a team player. We all work together.
What is rewarding about the job?
No one is breathing down your neck. Things can be done on your own terms as long as you get them done.
Is the job what you anticipated?
It is what I thought but the things I encounter are definately different everyday!
A Deputy Sheriff and the Inmate Program Coordinator.
What training did you have to complete?
I had to complete an Academy and Defensive Tactics program which was almost 5 months.
Did you have early interest in this profession?
No. But my father was a sheriff too.
Would you choose the same job? Why or Why not?
Yes, because the oppertunities are endless!
Since the positions rotate which on did you like the least?
Working intake was very hard and stressful because they people being brought in, obviously do not want to cooperate.
How lmuch time have you spent in this profession?
I have worked here for 11 years. I started as a clerk when I was just 18.
What does it take to be successful in this position?
You must be a team player. We all work together.
What is rewarding about the job?
No one is breathing down your neck. Things can be done on your own terms as long as you get them done.
Is the job what you anticipated?
It is what I thought but the things I encounter are definately different everyday!