Small Town Dreams Turn Big For Marine, KCPD Officer
Image of Officer Samantha Parkhurst
Hanging onto a helicopter, with the harness strapped and secure, somewhere on the other side of the world wasn’t exactly in Samantha Parkhurst’s mind’s eye, but it was perfect.
From South Carolina to Okinawa, Japan, to Korea and Australia. All of it settled just right with Parkhurst, an aviation operations specialist and aerial observer in the U.S. Marine Corps. The world came with her enlistment, right after high school in her small-town Missouri farming community.
“I always knew I wanted to do something different,” Parkhurst said.
The military began instilling leadership, discipline, and fortitude. When her service was complete, Parkhurst believed her skills and experience would serve her well in policing and began the application process with the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
“I came back home for my sister's wedding, and KCPD was doing a hiring recruitment event,” Parkhurst recalled. “I can't even tell you how I knew they were doing the testing. I packed up my stuff and moved back.”
Twenty years later, Parkhurst has spent most of her KCPD career in patrol, while helping the next generation of officers. As a Field Training Officer (FTO) for many years, Parkhurst worked firsthand with officers fresh from police academy graduation.
She is now a Community Interaction Officer (CIO) at Shoal Creek Patrol Division.
“We take extra care, we follow up with neighbors, and different things like that,” Parkhurst said. “We’re in crime meetings, HOA meetings, and talk to the public. My favorite part is you getting together with the community.”
Parkhurst does not believe she would have become a police officer without first serving in the military. The similarities between the two are strong.
“I always talk about the pride and uniform, but the bond that you have with your fellow officers, those are bonds for a lifetime,” Parkhurst said. “The confidence and the push that comes from the military, you need all of those to become a police officer.”
For veterans considering law enforcement in the Kansas City area, Parkhurst has a message. KCPD, after all, is the largest police department in Missouri and Kansas.
“As a big, large police department, we offer a lot more than smaller agencies,” Parkhurst said. “There are so many different jobs and positions that you can do and move around in KCPD that you couldn't in smaller agencies. I think our specialized units are a big difference maker.”
KCPD has police officer openings. Apply here.
#WomensHistoryMonth