A woman came up to me and said, 'I am very sad to be here because of my family member. Your smile and the kind way you are talking to everyone made my day.' That put a smile on my face. Being kind and helpful can go a long way.

Ricky Shankar
Community Services Coordinator,UCSF Police Department 

Ricky's Here to Help

‌Tell us about your role. 

I’ve been at the UCSF Police Department for 14 years. I’ve been in my new role as a Community Services Coordinator for about two months. Previously, I was working with Security Services. I want to bring my experiences to this role. I assist the Police Officers in smaller-level needs so they can tackle the tougher problems. I am learning about Police Fleets, No Parking Signage, Cold Case Reports, Traffic Control, and how to write Citations. I’m also learning how to do lockouts and vehicle and walking escorts. 

‌During my time here, I have always felt encouraged for my career growth. I didn’t want to be a police officer, but I wanted to assist them and be of service. I love interacting with the public. I’m here to learn and grow.

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Do you have a favorite moment at work? 

One day, I was managing the front entrance line in the Moffitt lobby at Parnassus during COVID-19. It was chaotic. A woman came up to me and said, “I am very sad to be here because of my family member. Your smile and the kind way you are talking to everyone made my day.” That put a smile on my face. Being kind and helpful can go a long way.

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‌Why is customer service important to you?  

If I provide good customer service, I can set a good example not only for UCSF but also for the Police Department.

‌You don’t know what people are dealing with. I can provide great customer service to someone who is in distress. Usually, when people seek help from us, something personal has happened. The most important thing is to listen, which usually helps de-escalate the situation. Through my experiences, I learned how to work with the community. I listen, apologize, and empathize for what they've been through and let them know I’m here to help. Often, people just need someone to listen, and know someone is here to help.

FAVORITE COOKIE JAR TREAT 

Chocolate chip cookie 

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