Hometown boy returns to serve as police officer
Being a police officer is something Steven Janzen has always wanted to do.
The 2001 Marion High School graduate is returning to his hometown this week to be an officer with Marion Police Department.
"Law enforcement is something I have wanted to do since I was five or six years old," said Janzen.
Like most young graduates, the goal of making a lot of money caused Janzen to take a different route other than law enforcement.
"I attended Manhattan Area Technical College and studied computer networking," said Janzen. He got "burned out" with computers, he said, and decided there was more to life than making money.
In April 2005, Janzen graduated from Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center of Hutchinson, the same class from which another Marion County native and current Marion Police Officer James Parmley graduated.
Following graduation, Janzen worked at Nickerson and then was a guard at Hutchinson Correctional Facility.
A position opened with the Marion department last year, before Janzen became certified, and was not hired.
"I heard Duane (McCarty) was moving to the sheriff's department, so I applied again," said Janzen. The second time around with training was the right combination and Janzen was hired.
"I like being back to Marion," said Janzen, "and knowing everybody."
He knew he would return to Marion at some point, just not quite this soon.
Born and raised in Marion, his parents, Steve and Phoebe Janzen of Florence, are employed by Marion-Florence USD 408 — Steve is a Marion Middle School English teacher and Phoebe is a counselor.
"Dad will retire eventually and he has a long list of things for me to do," said Janzen.
Several of his classmates have returned to Marion in recent months which also was a reason to return.
As a police officer, Janzen wants to fit in with the department and do his part to maintain the department's positive standard.
"I'm interested in helping with community projects," said Janzen, and is excited about serving those he knows.
"The kids I taught swimming lessons now are in middle school and high school," said Janzen.
Marion Police Chief Michel Soyez realizes having a Marion native on the force is an advantage.
"The start-up time will be less for Steven because he is already familiar with streets, businesses, and residents," said Soyez. "He's familiar with and aware of aspects of being from here which will help him with his work."
Public trust also is important to the department.
"A lot of cases and information we receive are based on the public coming to the department," said Soyez. People being familiar with Janzen will be a benefit to the department in the continuing success of clearing or solving cases.
When asked about Janzen's duties with the department, Soyez said he tries not to separate roles too quickly but does see one distinct advantage and will utilize it.
"Steven will be our computer expert," said Soyez. With Janzen's training and expertise, the department will have an advantage in investigating computer theft, Internet crimes, and identity theft through electronics.
"Criminals are always looking for new ways to commit crimes," said Soyez, "and we have to stay up-to-date. Steven steps in here with more computer experience than the rest of us."
A typical training time for new officers is two years before an officer becomes comfortable in his position.
Janzen will begin his job today (Wednesday) as a patrolman and will work swing shifts. He resides in Marion.
