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Oct. 3 , 2008

Former Border Patrol Officer Finds Balance With Herndon Police

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

When he was a member of the United States Customs and Border Protection, Brett Harnish said he often worked about 130 hours over a two-week period. Now, as a Herndon police officer, Harnish said he works about 80 to 85 hours over two weeks and, "life is much more balanced here." Working for the Herndon police, he said, is "a much better deal."

Harnish said he used to spend a majority of his time apprehending people who entered the country illegally. But now that he works more typical hours, he said he has more time to do the things he enjoys. He said he likes to ride his mountain bike, hike with his wife on the Shenandoah and Appalachian trails, and walk his two dogs, a Schnauzer and a Chihuahua. (The small dogs can only walk about a mile, he said. "That's their limit, then they need a break.")

Harnish has also had the chance to get back into shooting competitions, a hobby that he first picked up while serving in the Marines. This year, he said, he has participated in about six high-power rifle competitions in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and South Carolina. He shoots a service rifle at the Expert level, and he said he hopes to earn a Master rating soon.

Harnish said he never intended to become a police officer. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in economics and enlisted in the Marine Corps a few years later. He said was inspired to join the military because his grandfather had served in World War II and had some very "unique and interesting experiences." He said he always planned on serving in the military because, "I was interested in the same experience."

He spent about six years in the Marine Corps and when he finished his active duty, he said he pursued a job where he could live in the West and work outside. The Border Patrol, he said, was a "good transition" out of the military. After about six years with the Border Patrol, he and his wife moved back to the East Coast, and he said going into law enforcement was another good transition.

Harnish, who admits that he is an "adrenaline junky," said the work of a Border Patrol agent was very exciting because he "knew you were going to track bodies every night." He said life as a Herndon police officer can be a little slower, but still, "you never know what's going to happen."

Harnish may see less action as a Herndon police officer, but he definitely experiences more community interaction. He said that as a Herndon police officer, he has more communication with local residents, and more time to spend in the community. He said the Border Patrol officers, "enforce the laws with very little community interaction," and are "so busy apprehending people, there is no opportunity to be proactive." But in Herndon, he said, officers have the opportunity to get to know the residents and their concerns and, "there is so much time to interact with people."