Yonkers Police Sergeant John Theodore

In recognition of #BlackHistoryMonth, the #YonkersPD is highlighting newly promoted Sergeant John Theodore, pictured above

My name is John Theodore. I was born in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. I moved to the United States when I was 16 years old. I first moved to Brooklyn, NY then Middletown, NY where I graduated High School in 2005. I then enlisted in the United States Navy after high school. After the military, I went to Monroe College where I obtained my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in June 2013. I then started Grad school for criminal justice. However, while in graduate school, I took the Yonkers police test, did very well and was hired by the Yonkers police department in July 2014.

– What did you do before you became a Police Officer?
As Mentioned before, I served 5 years in the United States Navy before I became a police officer. I was stationed in Ingleside, Texas and also San Diego, California during my five years in the Navy. I’ve been deployed to Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Arabian Golf and parts of Africa.

– Why did you become a Police Officer?
As cliché as it sounds, I became a police officer to become the difference that I wanted to see in my community. I wanted to be actively involved in my community and I felt like with my military experience and my degree in criminal justice; being a police officer is the best way for me to get involved.

– What do you like most about being a Police Officer?
The ability to make a difference in someone’s life is my favorite part of being a police officer. I really enjoy helping people and interacting with the community.

– What advice would you give a young adult thinking about joining Law Enforcement?
The best advice I can give to a young adult thinking about joining law enforcement is be the change that you want to see in your community. As a police officer, you are very blessed to have the opportunity to help people and improve your community. Especially if you want to see change in policing; the best way to achieve that in my opinion is to be part of the solution. It is a very rewarding career.

Thanks for your service Sgt. Theodore