Page 23 - April 2017 Newsletter

P traits by Peter Bucks
Tributes to officers from the CPD Officer, Lodge 7 member and renowned artist
n BY DAN CAMPANA
The free safety on a foot- ball field frequently serves as the last line of defense.
Anyone gets behind you and you’re toast if a long pass over the top connects.
Although the position is just one of a few, Officer Toriano Clinton plays as a member of the Chicago Enforcers football team – he also lines up as a cor- nerback and wide receiver – it’s not hard to see some similarities to his police work. A free safety has to read the field as plays de- velop and earn respect by how they defend their ter- ritory.
Clinton, 39, has done
just that in Englewood for
nearly 16 years. Currently
working as an intelligence
officer, he cultivates years
of experience to under-
stand what’s happening in
the community every day
and has built confidence
among citizens through
his hard work. Like any good
football player, he’s made the right adjustments.
TORIANO CLINTON Star 2901
coming out right now – probably got it real bad,” Clinton explained. “I tell them be hard, because we still have a job to do, but be fair. Respect the job, respect your title, respect your au- thority, and everything will fall into place. When you’re out on the street, all you have is your respect.”
Clinton agrees that clouds have hung over law enforcement in recent years, but he knows his track record helps him ac- complish what he needs to every shift.
“My job is to talk to the public and gather informa- tion and intelligence that I can pass out to the masses,” he said. “My coping with (negativity toward police) is maybe a little bit easier. I’m able to do (my job) be- cause of how I’ve handled past situations and rela- tionships I’ve made with citizens on the street. And I’m respected because of
what I’ve done in the past.”
Born and raised on the Southeast Side in the
4th District, Clinton grew up playing baseball and went to college with the idea of getting into either journalism or creating commercials. Two cousins who worked for CPD planted the seed for his
Providing safety
“When I was first on the job, I had a precon-
ceived notion that we were supposed to handle
things a certain way and handle my experiences
a certain way,” Clinton shared. “As time went on, I figured out that every situation can’t be handled the same. I’ve developed a lot more patience over the years, a lot more understanding. I’ve developed a lot more intu- ition about people.”
Clinton recognizes that because of changes in the law, public perception and other factors, policing in 2017 is a different world than when he started. He doesn’t neces- sarily begrudge today’s law enforcement environment, although he realizes being a veteran officer has some advantages.
“To be honest with you, the kids today – the guys just
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eventual career choice.
“They would come back and tell me all these stories
and it just sounded really exciting,” Clinton recalled. “I didn’t grow up wanting to be the police, but I have en- joyed every second of being the police. I think it was a great move for me.
“It’s something to pride yourself on, to be a Chicago po- lice officer – to be a police officer period – trying to be the unsung hero even though you don’t have the cape and the tights on,” he added with a laugh. d
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ APRIL 2017 23