Welcome YVN’s New Co-Chair: Von Narcisse!

Photo of Von Narcisse
Monday, September 9, 2024
What is your current role at Yale University?
 
At present, I am the Assistant Chief of Police for the Yale University Police Department. 
 
What are your main responsibilities?
 
After serving in the capacity of Assistant Chief, responsible for our operations side and the administrative side, I now am responsible for all administrative functions. 
 
What do you like most about your work?
 
What I enjoy the most in my profession is the opportunity to legitimately help those in need. Whether or not I get thanked, I just enjoy helping people in their time of need. 
 
How does your job affect your general lifestyle?
 
It directly affects my life, and I constantly am made aware of how beautiful and precious life is. As a result, I try my best to not waste it. I have learned that life is an ultimate blessing, to be shared. Laugh, love, help others, leave your ego in the garbage, extend your hand to help those who may need an extra one, try hard, try things, and always do your best. 
 
How did you begin your career?
 
I began my police career after eight years of separate work in my hometown of Tacoma, Washington. Those years (Four as a criminal investigator with the Public Defender’s Office and four as a juvenile probation officer), along with all of the life lessons along the way, helped prepare me for what was next.  I knew I wanted to work in a structured environment, and I ultimately realized that policing was the career for me.  I started with a desire to help my community and to help those in fear, from the ones who regularly instilled that fear. Policing is very relatable to team sports as well. In the old days, there were “silos” and not sharing information was common and accepted. That is not how it works today. It’s crystal clear to most, that the best path to success is an environment of ultimate teamwork. A common mission. A common drive. A common standard. Add to that a genuine concern about who you are serving (community, teammates, etc.), and with everyone on the same page, the amount of great work that can get accomplished can be staggering to some, in a great way. 
 
What steps would you recommend one take to prepare to enter this field?
 
The first advice I give new recruits or folks who want to take a deep dive into this profession is this: Do not come into this field for money. I then ask them what their “why” is. That is critical and it will/should be a fire that can’t be put out because it will need to be with them throughout their entire journey. It will give them hope on days that seem hopeless. It will provide them strength when it seems they are losing theirs. It’s very powerful. I never forget to let recruits/inquirers know that if they are not genuinely interested in helping others, then do not enter this profession. You can’t be selfish, egotistical, money hungry, or have similar “priorities.” Those types of characteristics get people hurt in our environment and the communities we serve deserve more. Much more. Additionally, people are extremely savvy when it comes to detecting sincerity and if you can’t convey to another person that you genuinely care about their dilemma and you desire to help them, you have just begun an uphill conflict. Why start there?
 
What skills, abilities, and personal attributes are essential to success in your job/this field?
 
I kind of touched on these above, but we can start with the values listed on every uniformed officer’s very visible shoulder patch (Integrity-Trust-Courage-Commitment). The other value in my view, that ties all of these values and others together, is one’s level of discipline. The higher one’s level of discipline is, the stronger their values will be, and that will keep them on the path to their true north. 
 
If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? If not, what would you change?
 
Well, I wanted to fly fighter jets for the United States Air Force when I was 17, and this was fully reinforced after I saw the first “Top Gun” movie. However, when the recruiter was surprised, I was even able to find the door to his office (due to my poor eyesight at the time), that career never got started. I did try and I even shared a laugh with the recruiter at the comment. There were no eyesight waivers at the time so perhaps I’d change that? No. Onward I went. Regardless, the path I ended up on is one that chose me and I know it to be an honorable one, and I have seen enough to know this. I would not change my journey. We still have work to do as a profession, but that’s absolutely fine. We are doing it and will continue to strive for excellence as a profession. 
 
What does YVN mean to you, and what are you hoping to accomplish as Co-Chair?
 
YVN means a ton to me. I was born and raised with support from a lifelong soldier in the United States Army (Rest in Peace, Dad), who finished his career as a Sergeant Major, and an amazingly strong mother. I learned, at a very early age, the strength of real bonding and commitment, and the power of being able to count on others and to have others count on you. The work that veterans do to earn the title “Veteran,” is one that speaks to selflessness. Having so many people in my family that have served and even died in combat to save others, is just remarkable to me, and it highlights values I hold dear. I was never an active-duty member, but I have a very strong bond with those in uniform, and I am honored and humbled to serve in this capacity.  
 
Is there anything else you would like to add?
 
I’d just like to add that I am excited to serve this term and that any suggestions or ideas for the path forward are welcome. The YVN is an amazing group and I want to help us grow in ways we never thought we could. Together we will do it.  
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