The Michigan Daily-Tuesday, July 8, 1980-Page 9 A new breed of officer Police Chief Corbett " a sharp sophisticate By MITCH STUART At first glance, new Ann Arbor Police Chief William Corbett fits perfectly into the classic mold of the efficient city police officer. His regulation patent leather belt and shining gold badge convey a spit-and- polish image that would do any police force proud. BUT BEYOND the clean-cut veneer lurks a sharp, street-wise sophisticate who is one of a new breed of highly educated and administratively skilled officers. Corbett's colleagues in Profile Detroit, where he commanded the 14th precinct, cited the all-important com- bination of street sense and ad- ministrative ability as the factor which makes Corbett ideal for a command position. Corbett does not come to the chief's post untested - his command of Detroit's 14th has been compared to a small-city chiefship. "I've had a variety of experience in my previous 25-and-a-half-years," the 47-year-old Corbett said in an interview yesterday. "I've worked just about every conceivable type of assignment. I've worked patrol, I've worked in- vestigation, and internal investigation. I've worked staff, administrative, and my last six years were in a line position of command in one of the most active precincts in Detroit." POLICE OFFICERS and police work have changed in the twenty-five years since Corbett was a rookie on the Detroit force. Corbett is one of a new and growing group of officers who are acutely aware of the world around them. "First and foremost, police work has becomea profession in and of itself," Corbett said. "We've experienced a technological revolution with the ad- vent of sophisticated radio equipment, sophisticated patrol vehicles, the aa- vent of the computer, and the advent of continuing education for officers." The new chief said law enforcement officers have adapted to changing times. "The police officer operating on the street today has to be very much aware of the law, and of court decisions that come down - he has to stay within the law in terms of arrests and procedures. The police officer that's on the street today is a much more sophisticated officer than, say, 30 years CORBETT ADDED, "Ann Arbor of- ficers really epitomize the emerging professionalism in police work." Corbett is now enrolled in the Univer- SHORT or LONG Hairstyles for Men and Women DASCOLA STYLISTS " 615 E. Liberty-668-9329 " 3739 Washtenow-971-9975 "613 N. Maple-761-2733 * 611 E. University-662-0354 sity's Masters program in public ad- ministration. "If I finish up the class that I'm in and a directed study, I'll graduate August 17," he said. Perhaps the reason for Corbett's distinguished performance in Detroit is his apparent love for police work. "I'VE DELIVERED three babies - with a minimum of medical training - and I'm proud to say that all are alive and well," he reminisced. "One of the most frustrating things you encounter as an officer is when you work a certain area for a period of time, and you see deprived youngsters growing up. When I say deprived I'm talking about coming from a bad home, a broken home, a home where there are problems. And they're not well-clothed, they're not well-fed and they're not well-supervised. Then they get into juvenile problems, and as they get older the problems, become more severe, and then ultimately I had the frustration of dealing with them as adults and putting them in prison. It's a frustrating experience because I don't think any youngster is born inherently bad," Corbett said. WIll Corbett feel more pressure from his new post? "Oh, I think initially I'll be working some long hours, but it's a labor of love. I like what I do; if I had to go back 25 and a half years and start all over again, I would choose police work. It's been very rewarding, it's been very in- teresting, and along the way I've met a tremendous number of nice people." Do a Tree a Favor: Recyle Your Daily The Resistible Rise of Arturo i byBertltBrech An RC /Brecht Company producton East sQua Auitosun m TICKETS $3 &$4 AT DOOR Cal 763-0176 for information Doily Photo by JIM KRUZ ANN ARBOR POLICE Chief William Corbett gets out of a squad car yester- day in front of City Hall. Corbett was probably returning from his daily rounds about town-or perhaps was getting back from the University course he is taking to earn a Masters degree in public administration. Corbett, who took office July 1, is at the forefront of a new breed of highly educated and sophis- ticated police officers. MICHIGANI REPERTORY '80 A Mid- summer Nihts Blithe Spirit July 10,12, 16, 18 July 9, 11 17, 19 Thee I Ronde S July 31, August 2. 6, 8 July 30, August 1,7. 9 Season Opens Tomorrow Night at 8 PM POWER CENTER PTP Ticket Office-MI League, M-F, Noon-5 p.m. Phone charges: 764-0450 Pre-performance concerts Wed. & Thur. at 7:15 by Ann Arbor Chamber Orchestra on the Power Center lawn.