First Responder: Sergeant Mike Vandenberg

Name: Mike Vandenberg

D.O.B.: 12/4/1980

Hometown: Tallahasse, FL

Rank/Title: Sergeant, (In charge of) Field Training Program and Red Light Cameras

How long have you been with the Gulfport Police Department?

8.5 Years

What do you like about your job?

"I like getting to help people and getting out. I like being outdoors. It's something different everyday and it doesn't get boring."

What do you dislike about your job?

"The opposite. The stuff that's very routine, the paperwork. I love training people, but there's a lot more paperwork."

What inspired you to become an officer?

"When I was in college I knew I wanted something outdoors. Originally I wanted to be a Forest Ranger. But, I followed my wife down (here) . . . I have a 4 year degree in Criminal Justice, so it was natural to go into the Police Academy."

What do you like about Gulfport?

"I like the diversity in the town. I'm from North Florida and it's a lot different. There's two different Florida's. (I also like) the make up of the department, there's diversity in the department."

What do you want the general public to know about the Gulfport Police Department?

"Even though you may not agree with a certain call or how we're dealing with it, there are rules we have to follow. There's a reason for what we're doing. People get very irritated. A lot of what we do is quality of life issues. Just because it doesn't matter to you doesn't mean it's not important to your neighbor. We're doing it for the benefit of the city and residents of the city even though they may not see it that way."

Do you know a First Responder you think we should feature? E-mail editor Cherlene Willis at cherlene.willis@patch.com.