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August 29 2008

Officer Motivated to Work With Area Youth

The Town of Herndon police place a strong emphasis on community policing and their partnership with the community. In this series, The Observer will profile officers who work and live near or grew up in the Herndon community.

By Rebecca Plevin Observer Staff Writer

Sgt. Mike Berg, a 22-year veteran of the Herndon Police Department, supervises the recruitment of new officers, ensures that officers stay current on their state-mandated training, and oversees the town's various police academies. But the Girl Scouts mug on his desk at the police department reveals Berg's commitments outside the office.

Berg is the leader of his daughter's Girl Scout troop and he is also the service unit manager in a portion of Loudoun County. He said he enjoys being involved in the Girl Scouts because his daughter likes the troop's activities and because "I support and agree with the values and what they are trying to teach." He said the Girl Scouts promote responsibility, confidence and service, and create "an environment where it's okay to fail."

He said he especially likes taking his troop on camping and canoeing trips and "watching the girls work together on a common goal." He said he also likes the annual "Sing for Your Supper" event, in which girls sing holiday carols to encourage people to donate food, which is then given to Loudoun Interfaith Relief. He said his scouts are excited about a trip they are going to take to Savannah, Ga., "where Girl Scouts got its foothold."

Berg is also a Sunday school and confirmation teacher at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Herndon, and he said he is motivated to work with the church youth for the same reasons he is dedicated to the Girl Scouts. He said both religious school and scouts teach young people valuable life lessons and help build character. "We all have a certain responsibility to help them," he said.

A Cleveland Brown pennant adorns the wall of Berg's office and he said he has been a "diehard" fan "ever since I can remember." Luckily, though, this passion does not conflict too much with Sunday school or scouting obligations. Berg said Browns games are not often broadcast in the Washington, D.C., area, so he has to rely on the Internet for game updates and scores.

Berg said he has enjoyed working in Herndon for so many years because "the community supports their police department." He said he could not imagine he would be as happy working in a locality where there was not as much trust and interaction between the police and residents.