Aurora Police Department Crisis Response Team (CRT) member Sammie Wicks never envisioned himself being a member of a police department while growing up in the South.

In fact, after several unfavorable interactions with the Memphis Police Department in his youth, the African American man didn’t even respect them; even though his uncle was a member of the department.

“I definitely grew up with a strong dislike of the police and anyone in their uniform because of some pretty crappy experiences (while) growing up,” Wicks said.

Wicks instead wanted to join the military like many of his family members including his uncle, grandfather and father. However, he was unable to fulfill his contract following the ROTC program after graduating from Rhodes College in Memphis, and was in search of a job.

After awhile, jobs that he describes as “blue collar” weren’t filling all of his needs. So, after endless attempts by his uncle to get him to apply for the MPD, he did.

Fast-forward five years later and Wicks life has continued to change as he relocated from Tennessee to Aurora, acquired an international studies degree from the University of Denver, traveled the world, converted from a Baptist to joining the Jewish faith and joined APD.

And now Wicks is bringing the third-largest city in the state’s people of all colors, religions and genders together through community outreach and his past experiences.

“I originally planned being here for two years, and now it’s been five. I love it,” Wicks said. “I look at Aurora as not a city, but a community of communities with people of every race, religion, languages. I dig it.”

Wicks began his career at APD as a patrol officer, but now he is assigned to the department’s CRT, who are dispatched in situations such as mental health crises.

Aside from being a part of the CRT, Wicks is vital to the department’s outreach and recruitment due to his background. And he loves doing it.

“His outreach work is very genuine, and I think that’s a big thing, because his heart is in the right place, so whenever he goes out into the community and tries to connect with people, they know where he is coming from and the interaction goes well,” said APD Recruiter Abdullah Syidi.

And because of Wicks background, he’s not only building better connections with the Aurora community, but also teaching fellow officers about other backgrounds such as the Jewish faith.

“I’m Muslim and he’s Jewish, so for me it was very helpful to see someone and learn from someone from a different perspective as me, because we’re not all going to have the same story, or background, and with Aurora being as diverse as it is, this is only helping our department,” Syidi said.

Papa Dia, the founder and president of the African Leadership Group, echoed Syidi’s sentiment and says Wicks’ interaction with youth and the community at their events has helped mend possible tainted relationships.

“I see somebody as a good and champion for the community and the interactions I’ve had with him and observed him at our events with kids, he’s always trying to educate, inform and be very helpful,” Dia said.

“He’s a leader and really thinks outside of the box, because you know, sometimes policing can be very difficult, and bring a lot of limitations, but Sammy always came in as a community member first whether in uniform or not. He’ll always do whatever it takes for the community.”

But Wicks knows that he alone cannot change the feelings of every person, so he just tries to share his experiences with everyone he meets.

“I know what it’s like to be completely respectful to someone in uniform and have them be completely disrespectful to you, and start assuming all types of horrible, but that’s not everyone who puts on the badge,” Wicks said.

“So I think I have a lot more patience whether it’s dealing with someone on-scene of a call, or community outreach. Folks aren’t necessarily always happy to see me or forthcoming, but I try to help them navigate whatever stressful situation resulted situation resulted in police being called, or out in the community.”

Outreach and policing aren’t the only things that Wicks loves. The Detroit native loves watching the Lions, Pistons and Tigers — although he having a soft spot for the Memphis Grizzlies — and is very active in the state’s Jewish and anti-human trafficking communities.

“Sammie looks at human trafficking through global and local lenses, not simply as a black-and-white issue,” said Amanda Finger, the executive director of the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking. “He’s interested in deeper systemic change that needs to occur to root exploitation out of communities and is committed to doing that through his career (in policing) and community initiatives, like with LCHT.”

Additionally, Wicks has participated in panel discussions within JEWISHColorado –whose goal is to connect the Jewish community with each other and their community — and understanding intersectional relationships.

“He’s just so candid when we’re talking about things, especially issues that hit close to home for him, but does so in a way that’s thoughtful and I think it’s very though provoking and gives our community a benefit from listening and knowing him,” said Joseph Dubroff, director for external affairs at JEWISHColorado.

Wicks just wants to make a positive impact on the community he loves and now calls home: Aurora. And since he’s moved there from Memphis, he’s done just that.

“Sammie is somebody that is willing to break barriers and we see him as someone who cares about this community so much, and wants to constantly learn and educate others,” Dia said.

“Because of these interactions he’s changing the way some people think about police, especially children. Some of our children even want to become officers because of the interactions with Sammie, and his interactions are helping build relationships and our community.”