Stein said he is mostly focusing on the present because moving to Austin and beginning his career have been a “blur,” but he does hope to advance within the department at some point.

“I’d like to be a field training officer sometime in the future,” Stein said.

Stein also said he plans to be a proactive officer and that he has already noticed the APD officers are proactive in their duties. He also said he can already see that the department has an open-door policy.

“The only effect I think (an open-door policy) will have is positive,” he said.

Moving on up

Although Jones worked with the Houston Police Department and the St. Charles Police Department in the past, he said he is excited to be working in a larger, more fast-paced town.

“Once I started my career, I started in a very small town,” Jones said. “I loved it, but it’s always been a goal of mine to work for a premier agency, and Austin gave me that opportunity.”

Jones is hopeful that APD will provide him opportunities for professional growth that other cities would be unable to give him, specifically in the realm of drug enforcement.

“My goals for growth in the future would be to expand in the city of Austin,” Jones said. “I’m big into drugs, so if the Southeast Minnesota Task Force added a position, or if the current task force member moves in the department, I would like to apply for that position.”

Looking forward

As Jones and Stein move forward in their training and eventually into working on their own, both said they are glad for the chance to learn from well-trained officers and to serve the community of Austin.

“I think it will be a wonderful tool to have the resources (of ranking officers) available at any given time,” Jones said. “I’m excited to surround myself with people like that — people of caliber.”

Stein said he wants to protect and serve the community and to show pride in his badge.

“I feel great. I feel proud and excited and every other adjective I can think of,” Stein said. “I want to let the community know I’m here to serve them. I want to have a positive encounter with the community.”

“There’s a lot of challenges and a lot of exciting times,” Jones said. “I’ve always been somebody that’s very willing and always wanted to help people, and law enforcement is a perfect career choice for somebody like that.”