John Tauteoli Interview Project: Part 2 Communications 1010 02/25/2014

Interview Analysis Memo DATE: TO: FROM: SUBJECT: February 25, 2014 Professor David R. Gagon John Tauteoli Interview Analysis Memo, COMM 1010

I had the opportunity to interview a Detective from the Salt Lake Police Department. This department is the closest police division here in Salt Lake and I meet Detective Folau at a restaurant down town where he approached me a year ago. He gave me his card incase I was interested in the field of Law Enforcement. I have always been interested in law enforcement, so I wanted to interview an officer or a Detective. During the interview I found out that my interviewee was a patrol officer for ten years and has been a detective for the past seven years. I proceeded with the interview to understand more of their lifestyle and educational requirements. Based on my interview, I am now actually re-thinking my career choice. This memo summarizes the useful advice I accumulated and analyzes what I learned from conducting the interview. Summary of Lessons Learned Getting Started in Law Enforcement I learned that the law enforcement field requires discipline, personal desire to help, loyalty, and passion. The bare minimum to apply for the law enforcement is a high school degree, twenty one years of age, U.S citizen, Utah license, and clean back round. I learned that the law enforcement field is a competitive field to get into and even be considered. As stated by Folau, the applicants you will be face against have college degrees, military experience, academy graduates, and even former police officer. Most people are aware that they need an education to make it; therefore, many are choosing to go back to school, whether to begin in the law enforcement field or to further their education, thus furthering their usefulness. I learned after speaking with Detective Folau, there are two options I can take to take to applying and getting a better chance to being considered for the job. The first, would be known as self sponsored where the applicant pays his or her own way through the academy. The second would be known as sponsored, being hired on first and then the police department would pay for the academy and also furnish his or her required equipment such as weapons, gear, uniform, along with being paid twenty dollars an hour.

Detective Folau, shared that the requirements are obviously different from when he last joined the academy. He also shared that he had accomplished his undergrad at Ricks College. He spent close to about $15,000-20,000. Detective Folaus suggested field of study was Criminal Justice. Having a degree or prior experience can place you higher in rank and even up to making $70k a year! A Typical Day Detective Folau spoke mostly of how helping people was his initial reason to joining the police force, and how this job was more than just that-that he had fully invested and committed himself into his work, because he wanted to. Detective Folau being seasoned states, this job requires a lot of patients and can be a thankless job. Most of the time he goes through his day feeling unappreciated because the people he deals with sensually hate cops. But when he crosses those that are thankful Folau states, that it makes up for all the other crap. Detective Folau says if he were to go back he would most likely still take the same route in choosing his career. Folau states, this job has the ability to change you in ways you might not think. To me, this meant physically, emotionally, and mentally due to the experiences of losing a partner or working homicide cases. I learned that the whole process of investigation, interrogation, and finally solving a case is what makes Detective Folaus job worth it, Folau states, detective work is about seeing the case through the justice system and that is whats satisfying for me. I learned from Folau that you have to take everyday seriously and express love to your wife as if it were the last time you were to see her. Folaus working schedule is from Monday to Friday, and some Saturdays, and usually works 9 until 5, but usually works later to do follow up work, such as phone calls, visiting a crime scene, or interviewing suspects to a case. He is allowed vacation, a certain amount a year, but must make plans well in advance. His boss would give him the flexibility to be with his son if they needed him for an emergency situation. But, Detective Folau isnt too fond of his new supervisor. A typical day for Folau begins when he arrives to the office. Its an office environment, and you deal with cases that have been generated from patrol. The patrol will go out and dig names within an area, and statements from individuals. But, they wont do any of that follow up. I learned that a report would come to a detective, like Folau, he would read over that report and figure out what needs to occur as far as who to interview, possible suspects, and how to locate them. In essence, Folaus typical day will be making phone calls, talking and interacting with victims, suspects, or witnesses, through various cases. From there Folau would do what they call field investigations where he will actually go out to the crime scene to collect clues and evidence to be examined. Folau loves his job because it has become apart of his life. He feels that he has mastered skills that would take others a lifetime to acquire. He is sincere and driven to help people find peace when they are victims of a crime. Folau says that he been doing this for so long that it has become second nature. Although, Folau loves his job he says it is still

important to release your inner stress, thoughts, and feelings. It is a dangerous line of work and at times Folau recommends not being afraid to visit with a psychologist. Continuing Education Detective Folau believes he has progressively become a better Detective because he is driven, dedicated, passionate, and extremely detail-oriented. The attention to detail is a must; there is no way around it. He knows he has proven himself in his current department. In 2004, Folau received an award for his ability to excel in solving cases. The police department doesnt require you to take any course but if an officer decides to then it must be something of benefit to the police force in order for a reimbursement. Folau suggest if possible finishing my degree before being hired on so that I can have a better chance of being hired on and moving up faster in rank. Interview Analysis This interview introduced me to some new career ideas and also taught me a lot about how to conduct an interview. Analysis of Medical Assistant as my Career Choice From this interview I learned that I already qualify as an applicant with the minimum requirement, so I am excited with that. I also learned about some aspects of a law enforcement that I never even knew existed. This career has great benefits to provide for a family. But, Folau suggested different careers for me, which was interesting. For a Tongan it would be harder to move up in rank due to politics. Folau suggested looking into being a fire fighter and that I should speak with a fire fighter to get tips and advice of how get involved. They have almost equal benefits and actually allow more family time. I felt that Folau wasnt to enthuse to have me chose law enforcement as a career. If I were to purse law enforcement, I would consider the path that Detective Folau suggested with getting hired on first and then having the police department send me to school that way I will have all expenses paid for. I do want to finish my undergrad first before getting involved incase I decide to change my career. Analysis of my Interviewing Process Im fairly confident when it comes to meeting new people, and not too nervous when speaking in pubic. I felt pretty good speaking with Detective Folau about my career interest and he was definitely helpful with answering my questions. I am glad I did it! Thank you for this assignment. For the interview I copied the questions on a separate sheet of paper and numbered them so I wouldnt dis-organize. This helped me stay on topic, and I was able to glance down when I couldn't remember the next topic. I had gone over the questions numerous times so I rarely had to view the questions. This helped me keep better eye contact when asking the questions. Detective Folau answered my questions with confidence. He had been doing this for so long that all these questions seemed second nature to him. There were times where he did get carried away with responding, so I had to ask him questions that would lead us back to our intended conversation.

I am glad that I recorded our interview because it allows me to refer back to it in times I need information. Recording our interview also helped me stay focused and kept good eye contact with Detective Folau. At the end of our interview, I felt more comfortable. Although I had written down the ending of my interview and had practiced it out loud, I really didn't follow it, because I would have felt silly glancing down and reading what I wrote. I thanked Detective Folau and he invited me over for dinner with his family sometime if I have more question to ask. All in all, I found this to be a useful assignment that will help me as I decide on a career path, and also as I conduct interviews in the workplace.

Letter of Thanks P.O. Box 145497 Salt Lake, UT 84114-5497 February 25, 2014

Detective Sioeli Folau 1521 So Brava St. Salt Lake City, Ut 84104 Dear Detective Folau, Thank you so much for allowing me to interview you about your career. The answers you provided during our interview were really interesting and eye opening to what I should expect in law enforcement. I admire your dedication to your job and the care you give to ensure the best for the citizens of Utah. You make a superb role model especially in our Tongan community. From this interview I realized that reading about a career cannot give a full perspective about a day in the life of someone in the field, but talking to you has given me this vital information. For example, I never knew that I could get hired on and then have the department send me to the academy with all expenses paid for. You also opened my eyes to more areas I can explore as I consider my own future career. I appreciate your setting aside time for me, even though you have such a busy work schedule. You really helped me for my communication class. I learned so much about the law enforcement career and more about interviewing, which will definitely help me in my future! Sincerely,

John Tauteoli