Gabe Acevedo is a Portage police officer, husband, University of Illinois graduate, and more. In 2017, Acevedo graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He decided that getting his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice was the correct move for him because of his father’s influential knowledge of criminal justice.
After graduation, Acevedo began his first career in the criminal justice system. This beginning for Acevedo was at the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) in Porter County, where he was employed as a juvenile detention officer.
As a juvenile detention officer, Acevedo would do a variety of tasks with the individuals held in the JDC. Sometimes he would help the individuals with school work and make sure they weren’t causing any disturbances. Other times, Acevedo’s job required him to make sure the individuals stayed asleep during the night, paperwork, and that the individuals did not sneak out. During Acevedo’s time at the JDC he was able to go on a ride along with a police officer, Nick Christian, and after that ride along, Acevedo knew he had to be a police officer.
“What made me realize I wanted to become a police officer during that ride along was the interactions we had with people, seeing the process of taking someone to jail, and overall just being able to help people,” Acevedo said.
After working at the JDC for two years, Acevedo realized it was time to take the next step in his career and put in his application to become a police officer.
Then in 2020, Acevedo officially became a police officer for the state of Indiana. Becoming a police officer was a year-long process for Acevedo, but he loved every minute of it. Acevedo’s favorite part of becoming a police officer was becoming educated about the emergency vehicle operation certification (EVOC) at the police academy. The EVOC course was a week-long course that prepared police officers for what they would be dealing with on their street patrols.
“EVOC was my favorite part because every day was different. You're on a racetrack, you get to drive fast, and do a bunch of different preparational tests. Driving was by far the best part of the police academy,” said Acevedo.
As of currently, Acevedo’s work consists of night shifts at the Portage Police Department. He clocks in saying 10 to four, finds out his specific zone, and patrols that zone as well as ones in close proximity to his. Acevedo really likes working night shifts because it’s a little calmer and laid back. While on midnight shifts, Acevedo enjoys listening to 103.5 Kiss FM.
“I always end up putting on 103.5 Kiss FM because they play club and house music after midnight and that music keeps me in a good mood,” said Acevedo.
Out of all the responsibilities his job consists of, Acevedo finds the ambiguity of his job to be the most enticing.
“Every day is different and I never know what to expect, I enjoy that aspect of my job quite a lot,” Acevedo said.