Still A Student Himself, This Cop Works To Enforce The Law At Kent State

Jeff Futo: "The difference between myself being a cop and a college student is that once I put on the uniform and badge, I'm just there to enforce the law."

Kent State Police Officer Jeff Futo understands students. In fact, he is one.  

"I find it a lot easier [to deal with students] because I understand what everybody is up here to do and where they are coming from," he says.

Futo, 28, has been with the university's police department for three years after graduating in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He is now pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology. Futo has considered entering graduate school and pursuing a master's degree in psychology, but now he is not sure what his future will entail.  

"I am putting in a lot of hours and don't have much time for my studies," Futo says. "It is hard to go back once you are finished."

Futo says his life as a student does not alter his life as a police officer when it comes to breaking up parties.

"The difference between myself being a cop and a college student is that once I put on the uniform and badge, I am just there to enforce the law," Futo says. "My personal opinions are thrown out the window. I have to do what I have to do to enforce whatever laws are being violated."

That was the case when Futo was on duty at the Cinco de Mayo festivities in the University Townhomes apartment complex last spring. During the night, a BMW was flipped over, and couches were set on fire in the street. The police used tear gas to break up the crowd.

"[In the Townhomes situation], it's not a position of understanding where kids are coming from," Futo says. "It is an understanding of a situation that has presented itself to you and what needs to be done to disperse a rioting crowd.

 "It has nothing to do with who those people are. It's more about the dynamics of the crowd and what needs to be done to bring it back to a peaceful state."

In his police service, Futo has never had to arrest a friend.

"I have arrested people that I know or talked to at some point, but they understand that I am just doing my job, so I haven't had a problem with them, or anyone in general for that matter," he says.

After three years of police service, Futo says serving the law-abiding citizens of the community is the most rewarding aspect of his work. He says handling law-breaking citizens is an aspect of the job he dislikes.

"It's hard when you come across people who are being disorderly or rude. Then you have to put on the 'game face' to get the job done."

Futo plans to stay in the Kent area and work while pursuing his academic interests.

"I enjoy Kent and the college atmosphere," he says. "So I have found being a Kent State police officer a happy medium."

Jeff Futo puts his psychology and criminal justice studies skills to use by moonlighting as a Kent State police officer.