Some people stumble onto a career path later in life, and some people relentlessly pursue a childhood calling. Growing up, Deputy Serrano always knew that he wanted to join the ranks of law enforcement. When he was a teenager, local police officers often visited his high school to give motivational speeches to his classmates. These talks were not just inspiring but provided a window into a profession that he’d be proud to represent; Deputy Serrano admired the officers’ crisp uniforms and badges as well as the respect they commanded.
In 2017, his criminal justice career officially began when he joined the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) as an officer at the prison in Limon, Colorado.
“I knew that becoming a correctional officer first could lead to working for a sheriff’s office or a police department,” he says.
Today, Deputy Serrano is employed by the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, where he works at the detention facility.
Here, Deputy Serrano shares what he’s responsible for in his role, why he enjoys working with his fellow deputies, and the vital lessons he’s learned as an active member of the U.S. Air Force.
What led to your job at the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, and how did you know the organization would be a good fit?
While working in one of the towers in the CDOC, I saw deputies from Arapahoe County come into the sally port with inmates. I always thought that the black uniform with the flashy badge looked incredible. I spoke to one of those deputies, and he told me about the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. I applied in 2016, but I wasn’t selected at that time. After I returned from military duty in 2019, I applied again and got the job.
I knew that Arapahoe County would be a good fit because I had maintained contact with people who used to work in the CDOC and later became deputies at the agency.
What are you responsible for in your role, and why does this work appeal to you?
My role at the detention facility is to enforce laws and policies, investigate crimes, uphold the safety and security of the inmates and coworkers, and conduct booking procedures when new arrestees come to our facility. This work appeals to me because I have job security. More importantly, I can make a difference at the detention facility by finding dangerous contraband in the form of drugs, makeshift knives, or homemade alcohol.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is working with my fellow deputies. I truly enjoy working with my team. Also, helping inmates and making a difference is very rewarding. This can be something as small as translating from English to Spanish or vice versa, providing information about available services after they get released, finding and disposing of dangerous contraband, and taking inmates to the hospital for emergency visits.
There are so many rewarding aspects to my job. I have represented the agency at Special Olympics events, and seeing how the athletes are so proud to work alongside law enforcement is an awesome experience. I also represented the agency at a job fair at Fort Carson, a U.S. Army base located near Colorado Springs. I’m an active military member, so it was an honor to represent the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office and provide firsthand insight into a career opportunity for the service members transitioning from active-duty military to the civilian side.
What is especially unique about the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office’s culture? How has leadership supported your career development and allowed you to expand your skill set?
My experience with Arapahoe County has been phenomenal. Everyone—deputies and leadership—has treated me well. We support each other to achieve common goals; we always watch each other’s backs because we care for one another, which I appreciate and respect.
My leadership has always supported working with other departments to expand my skills. I’ve been fortunate to help in court services many times, and it has been great working with that group of deputies. I’ve worked at events with human resources and these experiences have been awesome.
You’re an active member of the U.S. Air Force. What important lessons have you learned while in the military that you’ve been able to apply to your career in law enforcement?
First of all, I’ve learned about the importance of leadership roles. In the Air Force, one of the many traits that we’re trained for is to be good followers to become strong leaders. When I have to lead, I have no issue in doing so. At the same time, the military taught me the importance of teamwork. We can accomplish a lot more when we put together our collective talents for a common goal or mission.
Another vital skill that I use every day in law enforcement is discipline. This begins with the simplest thing like having your uniform clean and pressed when you show up to work. The way you look can be a true representation of the way you work. The public sees that and the inmates see that, too. I exercise and eat clean to stay healthy and in shape. This pays off greatly in the military and law enforcement. You don’t know when you’ll be put in a dangerous situation, and being physically fit helps ensure I make it back home at the end of the day.
We understand that your office is currently hiring for a variety of roles. What are some skills or characteristics that candidates need to succeed at the office and in their law enforcement careers?
First, a candidate needs to get healthy. They need to start running or taking on some type of high-intensity interval training, which will come in handy when they start the academy, or if they’re pursuing a career in law enforcement. A candidate should get their diet in check by eating healthier and avoiding junk and processed foods. Law enforcement is a stressful field; I recommend candidates prioritize their physical health.
Another important characteristic is bringing a positive attitude to work. Your mindset can dictate the outcome of your day. If you come to work with good energy, most likely, people will enjoy working with you and the job will feel less stressful. On the other hand, if you have a bad attitude, that will also dictate the outcome of your day. So, for those considering a career with our agency, my advice is to come to work highly driven and leave your negative attitude at the door.
What is one misconception about working in law enforcement, and how would you respond to it?
One misconception is believing that the entire civilian population hates us. This can be the case for a small minority of people, but the vast majority appreciate law enforcement and respect us. During events where I’ve represented the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, the general public was very appreciative of us. They shook our hands and thanked us for our service. They wanted to have a conversation with us and talk.
How do you maintain work-life balance? How has the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office helped you achieve and maintain this balance?
When I’m at work, I fully dedicate myself to work. On my days off, I have fun with my wife and kids. I also do a lot of physical activities such as hiking, HIIT workouts, and running, and I also take my wife on dates. The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office has been supportive in that any time I have to go for military drills or orders, my supervisors adjust my schedule. My military drills are not the typical once-a-month Saturday and Sunday commitments. They vary quite a bit, and my supervisors make it easy to accommodate my schedule.
What is something most people don’t know about you and would be surprised to find out?
I enlisted in the Air Force when I was 39 years old, and I went to boot camp at 40. Boot camp wasn’t as bad because I physically prepared myself months in advance. However, the military police academy was more of a challenge physically and mentally, but I got it done.