[MZ Police Officer] Nerve-Wracking First Assignment... Trainee Officer Saves Citizen with CPR

The Nerve-Wracking First Day on Duty:
A Report That Someone Had Collapsed
Successful CPR Thanks to Countless Practice Sessions
The Youngest Officer Who Aspires to Be Like His Seniors

Editor's NoteThe Generation Z era has arrived. New employees in their 20s and 30s are now shaping the future of organizational culture. The police force is no exception. Within the police, there are various departments such as criminal investigation, intelligence, security, traffic, administration, public relations, audit, and women and youth affairs. The working environment differs by provincial headquarters, police stations, mobile units, precincts, and police boxes, and the tasks vary greatly by region. Through the eyes of the youngest police officers, we introduce their departments and listen to their vivid stories about work and life as they see it.

"All I could think about was saving a life."

Insoo Park, a 29-year-old trainee police officer at the Gwangnaru Precinct of the Gwangjin Police Station in Seoul, recalled the day last month on the 12th when he saved an elderly man who had lost consciousness on a bus. Officer Park said, "Firefighters are generally more skilled in emergency rescue than the police, so I was anxious. But since I couldn't know when the fire department would arrive, after calling 119, I immediately performed CPR as I had learned at the Central Police Academy."

Police Officer Insoo Park (29) of Gwangnaru Precinct, Gwangjin Police Station, Seoul, is communicating via radio. Photo by Seungwook Park

The Nerve-Wracking First Day at Work: A Report That Someone Had Collapsed

That day was Officer Park's very first day assigned as a trainee to the Gwangnaru Precinct. As a newcomer to society, before he even had a chance to relax at the start of his career, an incident occurred. Just as he finished greeting his seniors and was about to learn his duties, a woman suddenly burst into the precinct and said, "Someone has collapsed on the bus."

Officer Park and four other officers immediately headed to the bus, which was parked in front of the precinct, and found an elderly man who had lost consciousness while seated. The bus was filled with panicked citizens, and amid the urgency, Officer Park carried the elderly man into the precinct. He judged that the space inside the bus was too cramped to administer first aid. Senior officers quickly laid out a mattress on the precinct floor so Officer Park could lay the man down.

Officer Park explained, "I performed CPR just as I was taught at the Central Police Academy, while my seniors efficiently divided tasks without needing to say a word-some checked the man's personal information, others called the fire department. Fortunately, after the elderly man regained consciousness, we massaged his arms and legs to aid circulation, and the fire department arrived at the precinct just in time."

Seongin Park, a 29-year-old police officer at Gwangnaru Police Substation of Gwangjin Police Station in Seoul, is receiving job training from a senior officer. Photo by Seungwook Park

Successful CPR Thanks to Countless Practice Sessions

This was the first time he had ever performed CPR in a real-life situation. Except for an incident two years ago, when a motorcyclist was injured in a slip-and-fall accident near his home and he helped stabilize the rider after calling 119 with other citizens, he had never even witnessed an emergency before. Officer Park said, "Knowing that a crisis could happen at any time as a police officer, I practiced proper CPR technique by watching related videos on my own, and that practice really paid off in the real situation."

Experiencing such an incident on his very first day at work made Officer Park feel an even greater sense of responsibility for his job. He said, "I realized that police officers are not just there to catch criminals or prevent crime-they can also save lives. I thought that maintaining a constant sense of alertness to potential danger is essential for protecting citizens' daily lives." He added, "I've resolved to diligently learn from my seniors so that I can become a police officer who helps citizens in times of need."

Seoul Gwangjin Police Station Gwangnaru District Unit officer Insoo Park (29) is checking a received complaint. Photo by Seungwook Park

The Youngest Officer Who Wants to Be Like His Seniors

Having worked as a trainee for less than three weeks, Officer Park admits there is still much he lacks. From writing reports on complaints to dealing with citizens, everything still feels awkward and difficult. To address this, he carries a notebook to jot down work-related matters and advice from his seniors. While patrolling the area, he also keeps records of where reports are most frequent and notes the types of residences and characteristics of each neighborhood.

Empathy and communication skills are also qualities Officer Park hopes to learn from his seniors. In particular, when complaints are received but police are unable to take direct action due to institutional limitations, empathy becomes even more important. Officer Park said, "Watching my seniors listen carefully to citizens, empathize, and persuade them, I realized how important it is to be a good listener."

Having admired the police ever since serving as a conscripted police officer during his military service, Officer Park is now steadily growing into a real police officer. He concluded, "Personally, I like the Jindo dog, which is known for being gentle and loyal to its family but also brave. I, too, want to be a friendly neighbor to citizens, but also a brave police officer who steps up to help when they are in danger."