Sgt. Heather Couch

How do you handle the challenges and stresses of your job? 

I learned at a young age dealing with a lot of different things in life, you have to learn to compartmentalize mentally. If you don't, then little things can eat at you, and it could do more trouble mentally for you and it would not be good. So if you can learn to compartmentalize, then it makes it easier for you. You don't take things home, you're not lashing out at loved ones, and if you're the type of person that is not able to, it's probably not the best job for you.

What inspired you to become a police officer and what keeps you motivated? 

What inspired me to be a police officer and keeps me motivated would probably be my time growing up wasn't the best, so I'd always seen the negative … the drugs, the drinking, the fighting, and so forth. I wanted out of that. I wanted to make a change, not only in my family, but for when I had a family someday. I wanted to make a difference, so I think that keeps me motivated

Can you talk about the importance of teamwork and camaraderie in your line of work? 

The importance of teamwork in this job – teamwork and a family --- that's kind of what we are. We're here every day working with each other. You want them to have your back in any situation whether it be stressful or not. There are days where you're not 100%, whether it's something personal at home that's going on, but you know that if you have good team with you, then they'll pick up your slack and you do the same. Just as long as you're working as a family, great teamwork is everything with this job.