[MZ Police Officer] "Police are 'Gonggi'"... The youngest at Nowon Station Precinct protecting citizens' daily lives

The 'Golden Rookie' with On-Site Response Skills and Stamina
Warmth Maintained Even in the Harshest Cold
Aiming to Be a 'Kind Police Officer' for Citizens

Editor's NoteGeneration Z is coming. It is an era where newcomers in their 20s and 30s decide the future of organizational culture. The police are no exception. The police have various departments such as criminal investigation, investigation, security, intelligence, traffic, administration, public relations, audit, and women & youth. The working environments differ across metropolitan police agencies, police stations, riot police units, and local police substations, and the tasks vary greatly by region. From the perspective of the youngest police officers, we introduce their departments and hear vivid stories about their thoughts on work and life.

"I was scared when responding to a call... but at the scene, my body just reacted instinctively."

Police Officer Jo Seong-jin of Seoul Nowon Station is explaining while looking at a map of Nowon District in the office. Photo by Yeom Da-yeon

On the 9th, we met rookie Police Officer Seongjin Jo (29) at the Nowon Station Nowon Station Police Substation in Seoul. He cited the moment he administered emergency aid to an elderly person who collapsed during a heatwave as his most memorable experience. In June last year, Officer Jo responded to a report of a man in his 70s who collapsed while taking a walk along Danghyeoncheon in Nowon-gu and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). He recalled, "I had been on the job for about six months, so I was scared and thought I might not handle it well, but when I arrived, I instinctively started CPR without realizing it. Hearing that the person recovered made me feel once again that being a police officer is truly a rewarding profession."

The Nowon Station Police Substation is one of the busiest among the eight substations under the Seoul Nowon Police Station. It is a mixed area with schools and entertainment districts, and densely populated residential areas with apartment complexes, so reports of various sizes never stop. Officer Jo, who joined in 2023 and was first assigned to the Nowon Station Police Substation in January last year, is a 'rookie' but is active at various incident scenes. He said, "Because various incidents and accidents happen, I cannot let my guard down, but I think it is an opportunity to gain a lot of experience. The seniors take good care of me, and thanks to the friendly team atmosphere, I always enjoy working."

The 'Golden Rookie' with On-Site Response Skills and Stamina

Officer Jo is an 'empathy expert' who has solved various on-site problems through communication and appropriate responses to situations. Many reporters who call the police are afraid or reluctant to speak directly, but Officer Jo creates an environment where they can easily talk by sharing small stories and building rapport. He explained, "Cases related to domestic violence are among the most common, and when the police arrive, sometimes the reporters cannot control their anger and even swear at or refuse to talk to the officers, which can be embarrassing. However, since we have to listen to both sides' statements first, by approaching them in a friendly manner and empathizing, we can naturally get them to talk."

He added, "When I find common ground with them or share my own experiences related to the situation, they seem to feel a sense of closeness, making it easier to take their statements. When listening, I empathize deeply and have many thoughts, but after work, I strictly separate work and personal life and try not to bring those emotions home, adjusting myself so I don't get exhausted."

Officer Jo’s solid stamina, developed through his college major in physical education, is another strength. Based on his hobbies of fitness and exercise, he has been able to adapt easily to various scenes and the constantly changing sleep schedules of shift work. He expressed satisfaction, saying, "I once dreamed of becoming a physical education teacher, but while volunteering at a senior welfare center, I realized that helping others suited me better than teaching. I immediately prepared for the police exam and passed, and I think it was a really good choice."

Seeing his proactive and hardworking attitude, seniors at the Nowon Station Police Substation described Officer Jo as an 'MZ (Millennial + Generation Z) who doesn’t seem like an MZ.' Lieutenant Jusung Wi (39), who works with him, said, "Usually, if you get along well with seniors, you tend to handle complaints and work well, and Officer Jo is exactly that kind of person and very polite. Although he hasn’t been on the team long, after going out to the field with him a few times, I immediately recognized that he knows his role well. He’s not what you’d typically call 'MZ.'"

Police Officer Jo Seong-jin of Seoul Nowon Station (far right) is talking with team members in the office. Photo by Yeom Da-yeon

Warmth Maintained Even in the Harshest Cold

At around 9:40 a.m., we rode in a patrol car with Officer Jo to tour the jurisdiction areas including a nearby elementary school, a food alley, and a market. Officer Jo’s eyes were busy chasing citizens and alleyways. He said, "Even if there are no calls, I try to patrol carefully so that nothing is missed. In winter, there are many reports of intoxicated persons late at night, so I cannot let my guard down during night patrols." Officer Jo added, "There tend to be more intoxicated person reports in winter than in summer. Especially on December 31 last year, when students turning twenty celebrated the New Year, there were many intoxication-related reports, so it was very busy."

At about 10:10 a.m., just as the patrol was ending and returning, a report came from a restaurant in Sanggye-dong, and Officer Jo immediately headed to the scene. The report was about a dispute between an intoxicated person and the restaurant owner. When the reporter at the scene said, "I have a disability and have difficulty speaking," and hesitated to speak, Officer Jo comforted him, saying, "You can speak slowly. Don’t worry, just talk." Despite the biting cold with a wind chill of minus 11 degrees Celsius, he calmly drew out the reporter’s statement in the middle of the street and skillfully leaned on the patrol car to write the report.

After listening to the statements for about ten minutes with senior officers who accompanied him, the situation was resolved as a simple misunderstanding between the reporter’s group and the restaurant owner. When the reporter apologized, saying, "Sorry for reporting over something trivial when you’re busy," Officer Jo smiled and said, "It’s okay. Since it’s resolved, don’t worry and get inside quickly from the cold."

Police Officer Jo Seong-jin of Seoul Nowon Station is taking a statement from a reporter in Sanggye-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul, after responding to a report on the 9th. Photo by Yeom Da-yeon

Aiming to Be a 'Kind Police Officer' for Citizens

Officer Jo, who spends hectic days at the scene and the substation several times a day, has one reason for not getting tired and maintaining warmth: his goal to be remembered as a 'kind police officer.' He said, "Most people will encounter the police only once or maybe never in their lifetime, so I try to treat them as kindly as possible to leave a positive impression of the police. I still have a lot to learn, but I want to grow by learning diligently from all the senior officers," his eyes shining.

Officer Jo defined the police as a presence like 'air.' He concluded, "Just as air is essential for people to live, I think the police are indispensable for society to function. Although air is invisible, it always exists, and similarly, the police work day and night beside citizens to prevent crime, so I hope people will look upon us kindly."