Robin Swanson made one heck of a first impression in the minds of her co-workers.
Swanson, a records technician for the Mill Creek Police Department, was recently named the city’s employee of the year. And Swanson still hasn’t celebrated her one-year anniversary yet with the police department. That will come Nov. 1.
“I was kind of embarrassed,” said Swanson, a north Everett resident. “I was shocked. I just come to work, try to make people happy.”
Swanson got the award during a staff vote among city employees, including the police department. Swanson was one of four city employees in the last year to be named employee of the quarter, and the four winners were in the running for employee of the year. The vote was done recently via e-mail.
“She’s always friendly,” said Becky Erk, the police department’s records manager and Swanson’s supervisor. “When we saw her during recruitment last year, among the other candidates, she really stood out.”
Swanson said she wasn’t actively seeking a police department job when her current position became available. She was working as a secretary with the state juvenile parole office in Seattle and was happy there, even though she said the commute was tough. It wasn’t until a friend of hers saw the job opening posted on the city of Mill Creek’s website that Swanson knew about the job, and she decided to apply for the job.
“I’ve always wanted to be a police officer,” Swanson said, “but I didn’t think I had the heart to deal with all the stress. When the job came open, I thought this was a perfect way to be in law enforcement, but not on the streets.”
An additional bonus: The day care Swanson takes her 4-year-old daughter to is located in the Mill Creek area.
Erk praised Swanson’s work ethic.
“Intellectually, she’s very quick,” Erk said. “From a supervisor’s standpoint, she’s a low-maintenance employee, and I love low maintenance employees.”
As a records technician, Swanson is responsible for processing day-to-day department operations, preparing police reports for the courts, and process traffic infractions. She is also part of the department’s front-desk crew that is responsible for customer service, greeting those who come in to do anything from getting a passport to filing an accident report or a protective order.
“I know it sounds silly, but customer service is something I strive to do well,” Swanson said. “My goal is to make people laugh or smile no matter what they come in here for.”
Swanson also plans to stick around the Mill Creek Police Department for a while.
“The people I work with are awesome. They’re fun, yet they’re task oriented,” she said. “Everybody’s always willing to help out. They’re like a second family.
“I like it here. I know I have a lot to learn. Becky (Erk) is really knowledgeable, and she really knows her stuff, and I’d like to learn more from her.”
Swanson studied criminal justice at Everett Community College and worked in security for the Mervyn’s department store chain prior to coming to Mill Creek.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
