Brien Comey

While becoming a police officer is a popular career goal among young people, it is a dream that aspiring law enforcement agent Brien Comey ’16 has not outgrown.

“I wanted to be a police officer as a kid,” said Comey, an economics and philosophy double major from Westport, Conn. “As I got older, I expected this passion to go away so I could choose a more ‘realistic’ career, but it never did.”

While Comey’s interest in law enforcement was sparked by his father, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey, his career motivations have evolved. “My dad was a federal prosecutor for most of my childhood, and he would tell me stories of his cases all the time,” he said. “Hearing stories about catching bad guys got me hooked.”

Now Comey appreciates the opportunity offered by his chosen field to serve what he calls the “greater good.” “Law enforcement allows me to do something I really love while helping other people,” he said.

Comey put his childhood dreams into action this summer as an investigative assistant in the criminal investigation department of the Arlington County Police Department in Virginia. Whether taking security footage from tapes and screenshots of suspects or being a part of a ride-along and watching cops arrest suspects carrying cocaine in a trunk of a car, Comey gained first-hand experience that cemented his long-held aspirations.

“Detectives would take us with them to crime scenes and spend hours just talking with us, telling stories and answering questions,” he said. “Seeing the passion of those detectives, hearing their stories, and becoming a part of their family made me fall in love with the job even more.”

Though the imposing 6-foot-8 center for the Lords basketball team, ranked ninth in Kenyon history for blocked shots, is not certain where his career path will lead, he knows it will support a “bigger cause.” “It may be in the courtroom as a lawyer or on the streets as an officer, but I know I want to put criminals behind bars,” he said. “Keeping people safe seems like a pretty good way to spend my life.”