The Dearborn Icebreaker is a new Reporter feature designed to help us get to know our UM-Dearborn colleagues.
Name: Kenneth Paris
Position: Police Lieutenant, Public Safety
Years at UM-Dearborn: 11
What does a typical workday look like for you?
I usually arrive to work around 6:45 a.m., leave at 4 or 4:30 p.m., on weekdays, but am generally on call 24/7. I am second in command of the Public Safety Department that consists of 26 full-time and six part-time staff. On a daily basis I follow-up, investigate and classify all incident and accident reports, communicate with supervisors and personnel on all three shifts, monitor communications equipment, field calls, emails and personal requests for service from the campus community, and generally serve as the “go-to” person at Public Safety.
My days are pretty full. I currently serve on six projects or committees, oversee maintenance of vehicles and equipment, facilitate training and have many other administrative duties. I also assist our staff by filling in as a shift supervisor, patrol officer and dispatcher, and assist the director with the overall administration of the department.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I have been in law enforcement for more than 38 years and actually enjoy knowing that each workday brings something different. I am never bored with my job and enjoy interacting with people, especially students. I take pride in knowing that UM-Dearborn Public Safety provides a great service and maintains a very good reputation on campus. I enjoy talking to groups or students about being safe on campus, especially during student or parent orientations. We have an extremely safe campus and I want to do everything I can to make sure we maintain our status as the safest four-year public university in Michigan.
What was your first job?
I delivered both the Detroit News and Free Press as a kid, but my first real job was working as an usher for more than five years at the old Calvin Theater on Michigan Avenue in West Dearborn. Starting off at 90 cents an hour for that job made me understand the value of a dollar! I also had to wear a uniform. Who knew I would still be in a uniform all these years later!
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Both of my married children and my son-in-law are police officers.
What do you do to relax?
I really enjoy golfing. But most of all I really like to go up north to our second home in Presque Isle, between Alpena and Rogers City. I can get away from it all at the campfire or anchoring our pontoon boat on Grand Lake. A little Christian Brothers on occasion makes me a truly mellow fellow.
What’s your definition of a life well lived?
Having made a positive difference in the lives of others in your personal and professional life.
What’s the proudest moment of your life?
It has to be a tie between seeing my children sworn in as police officers and pinning their badge on their uniforms, or seeing both of them married to such great spouses! I am really proud of both my son and daughter and what they have been able to accomplish in their young lives. But I truly give virtually all of the credit to my wife, Jamie. My kids could not have had a better mother than my wife of 32 years!
If we were to create a UM-Dearborn playlist, what song would you want to include?
Nothing in particular, I like much of the oldies of the 50s through 60s, a little country and anything Shania Twain.
If someone handed you a $100 bill, what would you do with it?
Ask the intentions of the person and why they were giving the money to me. Of course, if the money was lost and found property, I would turn it in for the rightful owner to claim or otherwise make every effort to return it to the rightful owner. My integrity and honesty are extremely important to me and have served me well during my lifetime. My nickname during my career at Dearborn Police was “Dudley.”
What advice would you give to this year’s graduating class?
Listen to others with more knowledge and experience in your field, find people who will mentor and spend time with you and share some of their knowledge and know-how. Know that you have to make yourself more viable and desirable as a candidate than others applying for the same position. Try to recognize opportunity—you never know when it may appear, or in what form or source it may originate from. Learn how to prepare and interview for job opportunities. I find it very surprising that many people do not make the effort to learn about the position and organization they are applying for, and look foolish when the interviewer asks those types of questions.
