In the course of his 20-plus years of service to Brown, Officer Calvin Watts has met Jackie Onassis, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Bill Cosby.
Personal: 49; married for 22 years; father of six
At Brown since: 8/27/74; also worked in 1969-70 as a security officer
Hobbies: Movies, chess and, although he doesn't know how to cook, watching cooking shows
Favorite foods: Seafood and pasta
Background: After working at Brown in 1970, he worked for Providence Police Department. Before that, he worked at several factories, drove a school bus and served in the Marine Corps.
What attracted you to Brown? "I was looking for job security. There was too much turnaround with many companies and I wanted a place where I knew I would stay forever. Brown has been here for 200 and it's not going anywhere. I knew that I would also be here forever."
What has kept you here? "People - those that I work with and those that I have met. 90 percent are good. The people I work are terrific. We have build great relationships. I have met Jackie Onassis, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Bill Cosby - they're all folks whom I have met and who I never thought would have been as down to earth as they were. This makes my job interesting and fulfilling.
"I have also made lasting friendships with some students and we're still friends after their graduation. It's wonderful to see them when they come back for reunions. One of the student friends got drafted by a pro football team and the other student became a doctor. It's almost like seeing your children grow up, because you see them walking in as freshman and leaving with such maturity and direction."
Worst part of your job? "That had to be when I had to be a pallbearer for Officer Joseph Doyle. We were really good friends. Officer Doyle was killed in the line of duty in 1988. While trying to apprehend a suspect he was thrown down a flight of stairs and was in a coma for six weeks before he died. It was very painful for all of us."
Best part of your job? "I will never forget a very sensitive case I had responded to. The victim later wrote to the department thanking me for how I handled the situation. It amazed me that after what she had experienced, she took the time and acknowledged me for something that I do on a daily basis."
What stereotype do folks have of your department? "That everyone in uniform is the same. ... Students usually judge us the same way they would officers in their hometowns. If they had a negative experience or perception with them, it usually transfers over to us."
Closing thoughts: "We in this department are people just like everyone in this community. We have fears, hopes, dreams and families - big ones in my case. If folks would see us as people, I think it would make a great difference."
- By Damaris M. Castillo-Lopes