Sally Vigezzi’s job description requires her to attend meetings, participate in community events, and engage in career fairs.
But Vigezzi – the Community Service, Diversity, and Recruitment Officer for the Macomb Police Department -- is taking the job to a whole other level.
“I’ve seen her deliver food to people. I’ve seen her bring toilet paper to people. I know she’s gotten people apartments. She’s gotten people reconnected with Link and other benefits,” said Police Chief Jeff Hamer. “Above and beyond is the way to describe Sally.”
Hamer said policing has changed through the years. Crisis intervention is now part of the job, and Vigezzi is on the phone every day connecting people with social service agencies.
Vigezzi considers it all in a day’s work.
“It’s really a great feeling when I can help somebody out,” she said.
“I have discovered in this job that people come to the police department for everything – things that you wouldn’t think people would call the police for.”
For example, she didn’t realize a person who was homeless might call the police department, but sometimes that’s where the homeless go. They know the police station is safe and can be a refuge from the elements.
Vigezzi has a sociology degree and has experience in social services.
She never pictured herself wearing a police uniform or driving a squad car, but when the job opened up, she applied for it and was hired.
Now, for the past 18 months, she’s been doing things beyond what the city envisioned for the position. For example, Vigezzi created a small library for children in the police station lobby.
“Usually when kids are in our lobby, it’s not for a good reason. If they can have just something to keep them a little bit occupied, then hopefully that will make their stay here a little bit better,” Vigezzi said.
She said the public library has donated books for the cause.
She also has stickers and coloring books on hand to keep children occupied while they’re waiting in the police station lobby.
Vigezzi said she finds value in all parts of her job description.
“I get to go to all the community events and I get to meet the community. Sometimes I go to events and kids come running up to me and give me a hug. That’s the really good part about it,” she said.
She hopes the department will continue building on its relationships with social service agencies and be more visible in the community outside of regular policing.
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