Patrol Officer at Oakland Police Department
OIF veteran goes from combat to police work as an Oakland Police Department officer.
by Warren Duffie

What’s the most challenging aspect of police work? High-speed chases? Shootouts? Physical altercations with suspects? Not for Curtis Filbert.

In Filbert’s opinion, the first minutes after arriving at a crime scene are what truly test his mettle. Like a skilled doctor, he must diagnose the situation, secure the area, and subdue bystanders and onlookers. And he only has a few minutes to do so.

“That’s where my combat experience comes in handy,” says Filbert, a former Air Force sergeant. “To be an effective police officer, you have to be able to work in high-stress environments and establish order and authority – something that military veterans are excellent at.”

Filbert, 43, has been a patrol officer with the Oakland (Calif.) Police Department since November 2005. He normally works from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., “four days on and three days off.”

“There are also a lot of overtime possibilities,” he says. “For example, I’ve done professional sporting events such as the World Cup.”

On the Job
Filbert safeguards the tough streets of east Oakland. During his 10-hour shift, he might respond to a variety of calls – from domestic disputes and stolen cars to robbery and shootings.

“You can experience the entire gamut of police work in one shift,” Filbert says. “That’s exhilarating. I think such variety makes this an ideal career for someone with a military background.”

Filbert begins each day at 6 a.m., when he arrives at his precinct’s gym to work out for 45 minutes. He attends roll call at 7:30 a.m., and by 8 a.m. checks out his cruiser, loads his equipment and weapons, and hits the streets. When he returns, he might fill out paperwork for about an hour.

“One great thing about this job is that you don’t have to take it home with you,” Filbert says. “One you go home, you’re done for the day – no deadlines, projects, or paperwork.”

A Shining Light in California Law Enforcement
Celebrated as one of California’s best law enforcement agencies, the Oakland Police Department offers its officers a yearly salary range of $69,162 to $87,172 ($62,245 for those in the academy). You can also receive bonuses for advanced degrees/certifications and speaking other languages. Other benefits include health, dental, and vision coverage; paid vacation, sick, and military leave; uniform allowance; and a retirement pension.

To apply, you must be 20 years old, a U.S. citizen, and have at least a high school diploma or GED. Applicants must undergo written and oral tests, a polygraph, and psychological and medical examinations.

Upon acceptance, you will attend the department’s 24-week academy – where you’ll learn about criminal law, firearms, arrest and control techniques, vehicle operations, community relations, and traffic enforcement. After graduation, you’ll spend at least two years on patrol before being eligible for an abundance of career paths … including K-9, helicopter patrol, S.W.A.T., SVU, or narcotics.

“You career path is based on your desire,” Filbert says. “You can do so many things, and your future is truly limitless.”

The Transition
Filbert is lucky to have been able to pursue two career interests: the military and law enforcement. The son of a former airman, he saw the positive influence Air Force training had on his father, and in 1984 decided to follow the same path. After completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Tx. Filbert – who had a strong interest in electronics — attended avionics and communications school.

This career served him well until 1997, when the avionics field began downsizing. Unsure of what to do, Filbert called on his background in law enforcement. Prior to enlisting, he had been an MP with the Wyoming Army National Guard; and during his first few years in the Air Force, he had served on a local sheriff’s auxiliary.

Filbert decided to join the Air Force Office of Special Investigations — devoting the rest of his military career to criminal investigations, counter-intelligence, and anti-terrorism. From February to June 2004, he was deployed to Iraq as part of a nine-man personal security team guarding diplomats from the United Nations and Department of State. Based in Baghdad, part of Filbert’s daily routine was traversing the deadly Route Irish (the notorious road leading from Baghdad to the airport, a hotspot for insurgent activity).

Though he enjoyed his time in special investigations, when Filbert returned home from Iraq, he began looking toward the future. He had spent 21 years in the Air Force. It was time to think about his civilian career.

“I was stationed at Travis Air Force Base [in California] at the time,” he says. “I knew I wanted to work for the Oakland Police Department. I knew they had some of the best training and career opportunities around, and worked with a lot of federal agencies. However, it was also small enough to offer a real sense of teamwork and camaraderie.”

So he applied, was accepted, and began the academy in September 2005.

“This is a department that’s looking to hire veterans,” Filbert says. “A lot of the officers here have military and Reserve backgrounds, and we want more like them. The pay and benefits are outstanding, and the work is truly rewarding.”

Filbert’s Advice
Plan early. “Start thinking about what you want to do a year in advance.”

Attend transition classes. “They’ll teach you about civilian life and show you the importance of networking and doing research.”