d (Unique Ootteept an Young Gun Young, Jewish, twentysomething and female on Detroit's police force. JULIE WEINGARDEN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS y day she sports the basic Jewish leaving for school. She attends class until twentysomething look — dark hair, 3:30 p.m. then zips back to Detroit to do a worn jeans and black boots. little homework before starting the cycle By night, her fashion statement all over again. is navy blue polyester, bullet-proof vest Upon learning of her career switch, and a 40-caliber semiautomatic Glock pis- some people made disbelieving comments tol. like, "Yeah, right — a Jewish woman Jodi Steinberg is a cop. At 26, she hits wanting to be a police officer." Her par- the streets of Detroit nightly, as a beat po- ents were worried initially, but now they lice officer for the First Precinct. are proud of their law-enforcing daugh- Which makes you wonder: What's a ter. Knowing it meant so much to her nice Jewish girl doing working such a overrode her parents' worries, Jodi says. A self-described "expert shooter" and an dangerous job — and the power shift, no avid exerciser, schedule permitting, Jodi - less? Whether by foot or by motorcycle, Jodi admits that she sometimes fears for her patrols the Greektown area from 8 p.m. until 4 a.m. And believe it or not, the late- night shift was her idea. "I wanted to work during the busiest time — I like more action," says Jodi who graduated from a police academy consisting of a 22- week-plus military-type training program last May. "I also chose Detroit because I wanted to learn a lot right from the start. There is more to see, do and learn in De- troit than in the suburbs." The Walled Lake Central High School graduate worked as a dental assistant for eight years before real- izing she was tired of teeth. "In the back of my mind, becoming a police officer is something I always wanted to do. When I was in junior high, something inside of me clicked. I like to help people — it makes me feel good about myself," she says. "I also wanted a job that is not repetitive and could offer me independence. This job has good benefits." Jodi has since gone back to school and is a few weeks Jodi Steinberg: Making the streets of Detroit safe. away from graduating from Oakland Community Col- lege with an associate's degree in criminal life — but only when looking back on an event that already happened. justice. "At the time [of a confrontation] you are "I wanted my degree [for] myself; I knew it would help with advancement opportu- just reacting to the situation and trying to nities in the department," says Jodi, who protect yourself," she explains. Despite being a minority on the force, wants eventually to be an investigator. But for now, she plans to stick with school Jodi does not feel as though she is treated to complete a bachelor's degree in crimi- any differently because she is Jewish or nal psychology. And not only does she work female. "It doesn't matter what religion or race downtown — she lives there. Despite De- troit's rough reputation, Jodi says she feels your are. I handle myself professionally, and I have never had any problems," Jodi safe. "In the summer, it's great because it's says. Her greatest thrill on the job is when right on the river," she says. The only neg- ative is the 40-minute commute to and she is at the right place at the right time and able to stop something from happen- from school. A typical day starts at twilight. Jodi ing. "It's preventative. Even if it's just leaves for work at 7 p.m. and arrives by one person you've helped, it's a life," says 7:45 p.m. for roll call. Four a.m. and it's Jodi. ❑ time for bed. 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