Celebrate the MPO being hired 30 years ago!
So here’s the deal.
13 November 1995—first day on the job with Fairfax County. Thirty long years ago. Hard to believe, but the calendar doesn’t lie. Back then, I went up against 5,000 other hopefuls clawing for one of thirty academy slots. Most of them didn’t know what they were getting into. I sure didn’t. Thought it’d be a quick process—turns out it usually drags on for a year or more. But I got hired in four months. Why? Because I wasn’t some fresh-faced rookie with a shiny résumé—I had ten years of hard-earned stripes in the U.S. Army. They fast-tracked me, and they were right to.
Being a cop was the dream.
But I knew early on I wasn’t ready. No life experience, no real-world decision-making chops. So I spent my military years stacking up the kind of credentials that would make me stand out when the time came. And when it did, I didn’t just walk through the door—I kicked it open.
I wore the badge for 26 years.
And I didn’t play games. I treated people with respect, even the ones I had to cuff. Funny thing—when you carry yourself right, folks don’t feel the need to swing at you. I wasn’t some hothead looking for a fight. I was there to do the job, and I did it damn well.
Now, about that MPO title.
MPO stands for Master Police Officer. It’s not just a patch or a pay bump—it’s a nod from the department that says, “This one’s been around. This one knows.” You’re the road dog who’s seen it all—midnight madness, domestic chaos, the kind of calls that stick with you. You’ve got the instincts, the scars, and the stories. And when the rookies start asking questions, you’re the one they look to.
Santini's
3980 Corsair Court
Chantilly, VA 20151
5 PM to 7 PM
* NO PURCHASE REQUIRED *
Community Celebration Events - 2025
This Event is part of a limited release of Community Celebration Events to celebrate 25 years of geocaching. Geocachers hosted events between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. Learn more about Community Celebration Events on the Geocaching Blog.