Dual Roles: Sergeant & Rookie At Your Service
Image of Officer Nathaniel Lush
Wondering how to pay for college, Nathaniel Lush walked by a recruiting poster for the Missouri Army National Guard and instantly thought, “I’m going to do it.”
From the poster, Lush walked directly to the recruiter and said he was joining. His father served in the National Guard, while his grandfathers were also veterans. It made sense, and today, nearly 13 years later, Lush is a sergeant with the National Guard.
He’s also a rookie officer at KCPD, about to complete his first year on patrol. Lush joined KCPD after yearning for variety and something impactful.
“I might as well chase my career before I get too old,” Lush reflected. “It’s time to do something exciting.”
Excitement, he finds each day on patrol. Every call is its own unique situation, never the same, he says.
“Sometimes you get on a scene, you don’t realize how chaotic a scene can be until you’re actually there,” Lush said. “You have to calm the situation down.”
Lush’s military experience helped him from the beginning at KCPD, starting with the police academy. The workouts were similar. Instructors advised on nutrition and helped train recruits.
“From a healthy point, if you like to stay in shape, this is a great place,” Lush said. “We have gyms all over the place.”
As the largest police department in Missouri (and Kansas), KCPD has the most specialized units that officers can join. When he’s eligible, Lush is interested in possibly joining the SWAT team or flying above Kansas City,
“One reason I chose this department is that I want to try out for 690 (the Helicopter Unit). I’ve always wanted to fly, and I’m going to try to train with them.”
KCPD has police officer openings. Apply now.