Sgt. Fiore in uniform
It is not the most attractive building, and the interior does not provide the slightest hint of reception. There are filing cabinets scattered around the large, open space and a small television plays softly in the background. Yet, around a well-built conference table in the center of the room, sit a dozen police officers, each one talking excitedly about the varied adventures the night might bring.
For Sgt. Anthony Fiore of the Madison Police Department, exhilaration defines his existence.
Each night when he goes into work and prepares for a long shift of patrolling the downtown streets of Madison, he never knows what to expect. The element of surprise is a concept he has come to live by, and he would not have it any other way.
You really never know what you're going to have to deal with,"" he said. ""You just never know what you're going to find when you go into work ... it's cool.""
The humorous aspect
That is not to say, however, that Fiore never encounters amusing situations.
""One time when I was patrolling Langdon Street I had to arrest a kid for breaking in and stealing,"" he said. ""When I went to search him, he thought an electric pencil sharpener was his MP3 player. You don't get much funnier or stranger than that.""
What to expect
Even though Fiore seems to possess an intuitive sense that allows him to know if a night will be eventful, being an officer of the law calls for basic common sense and experience.
""How do you drive down a street and determine who's going to get mugged? There are so many variables and factors,"" Fiore explained. ""We look at the key causes that are underlying the situation and then identify it. But you just get this sense driving down State Street and you'll know.""
How to handle crime
Whatever the case may be, Fiore admits it can be extremely frustrating when the majority of the people surrounding you are drunk. The job of a downtown police officer calls for a never-ending supply of patience.
""We never fight fair,"" Fiore said. ""Our job is to get the situation under control. We always escalate our use of force based on escalation of threats.""
A lasting dedication
The City of Madison may be growing, and Fiore may be a seasoned veteran on the police force, but he never fails to realize that it is the dedication and love of the job that keeps worthwhile officers policing the city.
""At the end of the day you still need good cops to be successful at your job. Dealing with people and communicating with them hasn't changed over the years,"" he said.
And at the end of the night, when Fiore returns to the police department after a long shift, wanting nothing more than to go home, he is comforted by the simple notion of being a police officer. He knows that tomorrow has all the potential to be just as thrilling as today.
