Name? Rank?
Officer Louis Gibson
How long have you been with OSUPD?
I've been employed with OSUPD for approximately 4 years.
Where are you from and how does that help shape who you are today?
I grew up in the Cleveland area, in the City of Painesville which is about 30 miles east of Cleveland, OH. Growing up in a small town allowed me to understand “community” and why it is important, particularly the idea of knowing neighbors/local business owners/public service workers. As an officer here at OSUPD, knowing my community and allowing them to get to know me makes my job easier. As a person, I understand a “village mindset”, knowing everyone has an important role and a contribution to the upbuilding of the communities we live and work in.
What inspired you to become an OSUPD officer?
After losing a job in retail management, my prayer was to find an occupation that my wife, my child and family would be proud of me in. I also wanted an occupation that would allow me to provide for my family. God sent policing and initially I said no. Over time, my “no” shifted to a “yes”. In November 2016, I had a vision of myself in uniform. Believing I got my answer from God, here I am. All I did was listen to His prompting.
What’s unique about policing at Ohio State?
I feel like policing at Ohio State is unique. It’s a learning first, enforcement second ideology where applicable. Officers at OSUPD have the discretion and decision to teach those within the community we serve. I believe there are times where someone has made a mistake, not fully considering the repercussions at the time, and as a result they have an encounter with the police. Students often need some grace or some direction back to the right path. A criminal charge may not be the answer and may not solve the problem. Aside from enforcement action, our officers are highly trained, more than other departments. The training here puts our officers in realistic situations and scenarios that are close to real world experiences. As a result, our officers are able to pull from experiences they went through in training and apply them in day-to-day calls that result in positive outcomes.
Why do you serve?
In a time when some communities have expressed feeling unheard or underserved by law enforcement, I saw the importance of having officers who reflect and understand the people they serve, whether through shared background, culture or lived experience. For me, it became a choice. I could stay on the sidelines and point out the gaps I was seeing, or I could step forward and be part of the solution.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Spending time with my wife, kid, and family is what I enjoy the most. Aside from that, I enjoy staying fit, watching sports, mainly football, and a nice cigar every now and then.
What’s your favorite thing about being a Buckeye?
My favorite quote of my own is, “I am just a kid from Painesville”. I never thought I would be in Columbus, working for The Ohio State University and representing Ohio State. When I was young, the Ohio State Football team might as well have been an NFL team. They were a big deal to me! Now I work every Ohio State home game. The experience is mind blowing, and I have been here for about 4 years still experiencing that feeling of “newness”. I hope to always have that.