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Can a background in journalism lead to a successful career in law enforcement?
One look at the 23-year career of Don Strom, director of the Washington University Police Department (WUPD) proves that the answer is yes.
With a degree in political science and radio and television from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in hand, Strom started as news and operations director for a radio station in Carbondale.
While on the job, Strom had extensive interaction with law enforcement personnel, reviving an interest in a career in that field that had lingered in his mind since watching episodes of "Adam-12" at an early age and serving as police chief for the day in junior high.
Strom decided to go for it, and for the next 20 years, he worked his way up the ranks in the Carbondale police force, from rookie patrol officer to chief of police. Strom participated in several task forces, spent three years as a detective and served as both a patrol sergeant and the department's accreditation officer.
Carbondale offered an unusual experience for Strom: It gave him a chance to work with a major campus community.
"It was a transient community - nearly 75 percent of the residences were not owner-occupied," Strom said. "We had a very progressive community, though, and I had a great opportunity to interact and work with people who were forward-thinking in terms of social services and community service."
With the help of his police force, Strom established numerous programs that helped bring the police closer to the community, especially the local schools.
In Carbondale, Strom also met his wife, Chris, a juvenile officer for the city. Like Strom, Chris also had the same goal in increasing communication between the police and the community. She worked on many initiatives in the schools.
 Strom and his family (from left), twins Shane and Shae wife Chris, Maren and Cole |
"I remember being in the grocery store and noticed a little kid leaning in to tell his mom that I was Officer Strom's husband," Don Strom said. "She had an identity with the young people in the community."
After serving as chief of the Carbondale Police Department for nearly eight years, Strom decided to focus on working further for the community by running for the 115th District state representative seat with a campaign centered around three issues: education, economic development and crime prevention.
Although his campaign was unsuccessful, Strom said the election was a valuable experience and a great opportunity to meet people throughout Southern Illinois.
Strom was quickly thrust back into a law enforcement role when he was appointed inspector general for Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. In that position, Strom helped turn around an uncooperative, controversial office. Through the help of his investigations, Strom's predecessor was indicted on charges of obstructing investigations of corruption.
In addition, Strom aided in Operation Saferoad, an investigation into selling illegal driver's licenses. He was often praised by the secretary of state's office for his work tracking down internal misconduct in the Illinois administration.
"We want to reach out to the members of our community and build partnerships with them, helping them identify what issues are of biggest concern to them and together develop solutions," Strom said. "In addition, we want to be very proactive in trying to educate our community in ways that reduce the opportunity for crime to occur."
Crime prevention is the main goal of the WUPD.
"We're making a real emphasis right now to train our officers in crime prevention techniques," Strom said. "We're implementing new philospophies such as Crime Prevention through Environmental Design, which focuses on building design and landscaping as part of a crime prevention program."
Strom notes that the WUPD is quietly accomplishing goals on campus while it works as part of the support system that backs up the educational and research goals of the University.
"We consider ourselves part of the support function for education," Strom said. "We're trying to let students focus on excelling as individuals."
Strom is quick to point out that the University recognizes the importance of the campus support system.
"Washington University is committed to making a first-class educational product," Strom said. "If they're making that kind of commitment in the classroom, then you know they are making the same commitment to the support system, including the police department."
Moving to St. Louis was a homecoming for Strom's family. Chris grew up near St. Louis and Strom's daughter Maren is a University freshman.
"This was an easy transition for us," Strom said.
Prior to joining the University, Strom's year on the campaign trail and commuting between Springfield, Ill., Carbondale and Chicago with his work as inspector general kept him away from his family for extended periods of time. The move to St. Louis has allowed the Stroms to spend more time together.
"I'm really a family person," Strom said.
Outside of his work with the WUPD, Strom enjoys sports and various activities with his children. Along with Maren, Strom has 4-year-old twins - Shae and Shane - and a 10-year-old, Cole.
Strom also counts golf as one of his hobbies, though he admits his game is not in top shape. He hopes to make a little more time for the game over the next few years on the golf course that backs up to his family's new home.
Strom is happy to have found his place at the University.
"I've worked in law enforcement for 23 years, and in much of my work I've had an opportunity to interact with students, but never to the level of the caliber of faculty, staff and students at this school," Strom said. "I'm proud to come to work every day."
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