From College Cornerback To Cop, KC Native Finds Success Out In The Field
Image of Officer Cameron Walz
When COVID hit, it struck down Cameron Walz’s plan to be a marketing manager.
The pause and instability of the time brought Walz back to his childhood dream of being a police officer. Though no one in his family had law enforcement experience, Walz had always admired how cops interacted with people and helped them.
Two years out of the police academy, Walz, 23, now serves in Metro Patrol Division. The community, he said, has been supportive.
“It’s always a good feeling when they see someone who looks like them,” Walz explained. “It’s a refresher for them to see someone who is brown; for the most part, I’ve received nothing but compliments. The community enjoys seeing me wear this (uniform).”
The variety of the job interests Walz. Each day and each call deliver a new challenge and new opportunity to serve others. Walz and others recently helped a mother and her kids with shelter and food. Before that, he helped a toddler who was twice found wandering in the streets.
“I ran into the same toddler again and unfortunately the parents or guardians weren’t taking good care of the little boy,” Walz said. “My partner and I got him rekindled with someone who was going to take care of this little boy.”
Walz grew up in Kansas City near Raytown before moving north. He was a football standout at North Kansas City High School and a cornerback at Missouri Southern State University. He’s always been athletic, which may serve him well at KCPD in the future. Walz has an eye on joining the Tactical Response Team (TRT) one day, calling it a goal. The TRT is one of many specialized units at KCPD.
“Take a leap of faith,” Walz advised people considering policing. “Unless you try it out, you’ll never know. I’m having a fun time. At the end of the day, it’s a very rewarding job. Unfortunately, not everyone can do it, but I feel good that I can pick up the torch and carry it for others.”
KCPD recruits start at $65,000 a year. Officers works four days on and four days off. Apply here.