Celebrating a Landmark of Service

He's seen various parts of the world, but never fully left the Panhandle. Most of his adult life has been focused on serving people while wearing a uniform.

He wears his uniform quietly, as identity to his service. He doesn't seek the spotlight and some would say he redirects it to others he sees as more deserving.

Sidney Police Chief Joe Aikens is being recognized for 40 years of public service.

His career in the public, in law enforcement, started soon after his 1980 graduation from Kimball High School. He enlisted in the military where he served two years in the military police. Upon his departure from military service, he was hired by the Sidney Police Department. He has worked in communications, as a reserve officer and continued to work up the ranks, including narcotics and investigations. He earned the rank of sergeant, and then assistant chief.

“Since 2009, I served the capacity of interim Chief of Police, then promoted to chief,” Aikens said.

He has spent the last 10 years in one administrative capacity or another, he said.

Rising to the rank of chief is not necessarily sometime he dreamed of when entering law enforcement. He said he just wanted a career in law enforcement. He admitted investigations were always intriguing. In his 40 years in law enforcement, few things have stayed the same.

“In that time, I've seen a lot of changes, both positive and negative,” he said.

Technology is a big one, according to Aikens.

“When I first started, everything was hand-written,” he said.

In addition to the always-present notebook and pen or pencil, the do-everything cell phone that has evolved into a smart phone was a dream akin to a Dick Tracy cartoon panel. Now, most police cars can almost be compared to an ambulance. As an modern ambulance is equipped like a mobile emergency room of sorts, an up-to-date police cruiser is almost a mobile office with computer link, radio link to the communications center and of course a cell phone. The advance of technology also resulted in steps forward in investigations.

“Today, investigations are more sophisticated,” he said.

Offenses have changed as well. He said in his early days in law enforcement, marijuana was big, and cocaine was the drug of choice.

So why does a person remain in the same career, and the same department, for four decades. The answer is simple, a desire to impact the community.

“I enjoy serving the public, whether it is as a police officer or in church,” he said.

He said the duties of a police officer are to keep the community safe.

“The positive things you do for the community is what keeps you doing the job,” he said.

Forty years might seem monumental, but Aikens said it is about perspective.

“If you enjoy what you do, it just goes by,” he said.

Some of the challenges he recalls are similar to what other businesses face, but with the added factor of the responsibility that comes with the law enforcement uniform (sometimes doing the right thing is not always the popular decision, he said): the change in work ethics from different generations and workers dedication to the job, keeping up to date with training, and finding people willing to work.

The career has become a passion.

“It's very fulfilling for me. I can't see doing anything else,” he said.

When he is away from the office, he spends time with family, goes fishing or hunting, and helps his wife with her furniture refurbishing.