Orrlando Mayes(he/him)

Orrlando Mayes is a veteran law enforcement leader who spent 28 years with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, retiring as a lieutenant before starting a second career as a police sergeant with the California State University Police Department. He rose through the ranks from a volunteer reserve deputy — a position he wasn't even getting paid for at first — all the way to commanding one of the most specialized units in the department: Special Operations, which included the SWAT team, bomb squad, Air Ops, negotiators, and drone units. His path wasn't a straight line, and that's exactly what makes it worth hearing about. Orrlando knew he wanted to be in law enforcement since the eighth grade, inspired by the TV show CHiPs. He wrote down three goals on a piece of paper back then: get a college degree, get into law enforcement, and play for the Dallas Cowboys. Two out of three isn't bad — and those first two he achieved in full. When no agencies were hiring, he volunteered over 2,000 unpaid hours as a reserve deputy just to get his foot in the door. He eventually earned a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership, which helped him stand out when competing for promotions. His story is a masterclass in patience, persistence, and playing the long game. For students of color specifically, Orrlando doesn't shy away from the real talk. He shares that throughout his career — including when he became the first Black officer selected for the SWAT team at his agency — he heard comments suggesting he only got the spot because of his race. His response wasn't to shrink or retaliate. He let his performance speak: staying on the SWAT team for 14 years and two months. He kept his moral compass, stayed professional, and won people over by doing the work. That's a powerful lesson for anyone who's ever had their place questioned. He also breaks down the practical side of the career — the salary (six figures, especially with education incentives), the pension (which he says beats the corporate world), and the variety of assignments that keep the job from ever feeling like a daily grind. He's honest that it's not perfect, and he talks openly about the frustration of being judged collectively for the actions of a few bad officers. But he's clear: the majority of officers are doing good work every single day, and there's real meaning in showing up for communities that need protection and support. Whether you're thinking about law enforcement, homeland security, SWAT, criminal justice, or just a career in public service, Orrlando's story shows what's possible when you combine hustle, education, and a genuine desire to help people. His advice to students is simple and direct: go do a ride-along, do your research, talk to people already in the field, and never let anyone tell you what you can't do.