Robert Protsman

About Robert: Lansing resident with two children. Associate's degrees in biology and chemistry from South Suburban College. Bachelor's degree in police management from Calumet College of St. Joseph. Graduate of Illinois State Police Academy. Employed by Village of Lansing for 10 years. Member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lansing.

Accomplishments: Officer Robert Protsman is a patrolman for the Lansing Police Department. He is a paramedic, crime scene investigator and field training officer for new officers starting their careers. Field training is a 10-week program to acclimate them with the community and police work. New officers begin the program as observers and gradually take on more and more responsibility until they are handling all the work and being observed. "We provide them with a solid foundation for their skill sets for the duration of their career," he said. Protsman currently works with one officer and on a day-to-day basis serves the community as a police officer and paramedic responding to calls for service. He rotates each month between days, midnights and afternoons and is assigned a beat. "I love it, it's the greatest in the world," he said. "It's a calling more than it is a job. It's more than a career and by far more than a profession," he said. "With so many facets to the work, you don't

get bored." Protsman is a member of the International Association of Identification.

Personal hero: "Absolutely my father, Donald Protsman of Lansing. He's a follow the rules, do the right thing kind of guy. He's hard working and has a good work ethic."

What I read: "Tom Clancy and the latest cutting-edge information on crime investigation to help me be better at my job."

Advice: "Stand up and take action."

Best thing about my job: "There are never two days that are the same."

People might be surprised to know: "I build my own computers."

- SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate someone for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com