[MZ Rookie Officer] Subduing an Armed Assailant as a Trainee... The Youngest Member of the Violent Crimes Unit Growing Every Day

Nowon Police Station Violent Crimes Unit 2
Rookie Officer Sewon Park’s
First Steps Toward Becoming a Detective

Editor's NoteGeneration Z is arriving. We are in an era where newcomers in their 20s and 30s are shaping the future of organizational culture. The police are no exception. The police force includes a variety of departments such as criminal investigation, investigation, security, intelligence, traffic, administration, public relations, audit, and women and youth. Work environments differ by provincial headquarters, police stations, mobile units, and local precincts or police boxes, and the roles and responsibilities 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.

"Isn't lack of experience actually a strength? After all, you can draw anything you want on a blank canvas."

Police Officer Sewon Park (31), who works in the Violent Crimes Unit 2 at Nowon Police Station in Seoul, is a second-year officer growing through hands-on field experience. About a year ago, while working as a trainee at Hwarang Precinct, Officer Park had the experience of subduing an armed assailant. He was dispatched after a 112 call reporting "people smoking are swearing," and while taking a statement from the subject, the caller suddenly emerged from the house wielding a weapon at the police. At that moment, Officer Park carefully approached from behind and, just as the suspect was about to swing the weapon, kicked the knife away to eliminate the threat and subdued the suspect. Officer Park said, "It made me realize that danger can arise suddenly at any time and anywhere, so I must always stay alert and be fully prepared."

Now, a year later, Officer Park is no longer a precinct trainee but a two-month rookie detective learning field expertise from his seniors. He applied to the Violent Crimes Unit 2 at Nowon Police Station because he was curious about how the cases he encountered as a trainee at the precinct were handled further up the line. Officer Park said, "At the precinct, I often dealt with cases like theft or embezzlement of lost property where the suspect was not identified," and added, "I was always curious about how the cases I handled at the scene were processed at the police station level."

At the Violent Crimes Unit in Nowon as well, reports of theft, embezzlement of lost property, and voice phishing cases where the perpetrator is not identified are frequently received. Officer Park also often handles everyday crimes such as theft from unmanned businesses or bicycle theft. His main duties include analyzing CCTV footage and investigating stolen goods to identify suspects. Officer Park said, "Since the perpetrator is not identified, it is most important to meticulously collect evidence," and added, "If we spot a crime scene in CCTV footage, we open a case and proceed with the investigation."

On the 5th, Police Officer Sewon Park is seen during an interview at Nowon Police Station in Seoul. Photo by Eunseo Lee

Although he is a rookie detective learning every day, police work is not unfamiliar in Officer Park's life. He said, "My uncle is a police officer," and added, "I was discharged from the military as a conscripted police officer, and I also majored in police administration in college, so naturally, becoming a police officer became my goal."

Since joining the police, Officer Park has developed his sense of professionalism through his work at the precinct. He said, "I've always heard that 'anyone can do the job, but not just anyone can be a police officer,'" and added, "Being a police officer is just a job, but the mindset of the person doing it is what matters." For this reason, he feels the authority and responsibility of a detective very heavily. He said, "I try to objectively view the complex interests and emotions entangled in every case and treat all cases equally, regardless of their severity."

Among various crimes, Officer Park is most dedicated to investigating voice phishing cases. Although voice phishing is usually handled by the investigation department, the detective unit directly investigates face-to-face fraud cases where the perpetrator deceives the victim and meets them in person to steal money. Officer Park said, "Because these crimes can take away a lifetime's worth of trust and money in an instant, I feel a heavy heart and a strong sense of responsibility every time I handle such a case."

Police Officer Sewon Park is seen going out on a field assignment on the 7th to collect and organize evidence. Provided by the individual.

Officer Park pays the most attention when dealing directly with suspects and victims involved in a case. He believes that the outcome of his investigation can become a turning point in the lives of those involved. Officer Park said, "If you get swayed by the words and emotions of those involved, you could make a dangerous decision," and added, "It's most difficult when suspects deny the charges or explain their circumstances instead of confessing, and when dealing with victims, sometimes I get so focused on wanting to help them that I lose concentration on my work."

Whenever that happens, Officer Park tries to stay centered, hoping to be remembered by those involved as someone who made a positive difference. He said, "I want to be a police officer who ensures that suspects do not end up in unfair situations and that victims can recover from their losses," and added, "That is why, in the end, everything must be based on one principle: clear evidence and the law."