Who's Who: Piedmont Police Detective George Phifer

Piedmont Police Detective: George Phifer

Detective George Phifer has worked in Antioch and Piedmont. The cities differ in character, yet teens in each share many of the same troubles and concerns. When he isn’t investigating crimes, Phifer is reaching out to teens as a school resource officer. He also helps residents protect themselves through Neighborhood Watch programs. Phifer says the public may not be aware of just how much time police officers spend educating the public.

Piedmont Patch: Why would a school like Piedmont High need a school resource officer?

Detective George Phifer: Every school regardless the city will have issues – fights at school, a kid making an off remark to a principal or a teacher. And obviously, marijuana is prevalent everywhere.

Patch: How do you connect with the students?

GP: A few times a year myself, detectives (John) Florance and (Thomas) Kincaid go out, we talk about the life of a teenager, give advice. How the decisions you make now can impact you for the rest of your life – drinking and driving, parties. And we make it clear to the administrator we’re a resource. We want (the students) to understand there is a human side to policing. I understand a lot of citizens, for instance, when they see an officer turning on the lights in their rear view mirror get a feeling of anxiety.

And we will be doing “Every 15 Minutes” (a staged fatal auto accident that raises awareness about the dangers of driving drunk). That is a big deal. It’s a great way to send the message.

Patch: Kids everywhere think they’re invincible. How do you cut through that?

GP: That’s the challenge. That’s where the ability to establish a rapport counts. You’ve got to show compassion.

Patch: Have you always enjoyed working with kids?

GP: Yes, even before I became a police officer. I was considering becoming a teacher. When I taught a class on criminal justice in a high school in Antioch, I felt I had the best of both worlds.

By and large the kids here are very fortunate to have economic security. But my experience has been they are very respectful. And they are very serious about their education.

Patch: In recent months, it seems some voters have come to believe that public safety personnel enjoy lavish benefits – pensions in particular.

GP: It does seem like we are being scrutinized. In our department, we pay the 9 percent contribution for our pensions ourselves.

Patch: What does the public misunderstand about police work?

GP: Oftentimes people have this idea from what what they see on the news is that we handle a call here and a call there – the cases they read about. And there is a misperception that officers are these tough men and women that just make arrests. We spend a lot of time educating people and we are a part of the community. Our job is made easier when we work together.

Paperwork is a huge part of this job. It is very time consuming. But it’s necessary. It’s critical to be as accurate as possible and as detailed as possible. Sometimes a trial will be a couple years down the road, and the only other thing you have is an officer’s memory.

Patch: You also do quite a number of Neighborhood Watch meetings. What do people want to know, and how do you advise them?

GP: People want to know exactly what is happening in their particular area. We have 10 districts. (We advise) things as simple as being aware of their surroundings. Today, you see people walking down the road with earphones in their ears. It makes you a target. I’m not saying don’t listen to music, but it’s important to be aware.

And we talk about ways to prevent auto burglaries, whether it’s an alarm or not leaving valuables in your car in plain sight.

This year has been more difficult in terms of property crimes; there’s been an increase this year. With Neighborhood Watch, one of the key things is, it’s an opportunity for neighbors to get to know each other. We tell people, exchange phone numbers. In the old days, people would get together and barbecue. Nowadays people are busy working all the time.