Captain Grant Warren: The man behind the badge

25 years on the job and Captain Grant Warren is just as excited about his work today as he was his first day on the job. But for Warren, it was not an easy road to becoming a VCU officer.

Warren’s journey began when he received a criminal justice degree at North Carolina State. After graduation he served in the U.S Navy. Once he left the Navy he worked various security jobs. Then he worked for the department of corrections. He came to VCU to get his masters in public administration in the early 80’s. It was at this point that he decided he wanted to become a VCU officer.

“I saw a couple of VCU officers, asked them about the job and then applied,” Warren said.

Warren says job competition was pretty high in 1982.

“I think the second or third try, I actually got hired.”

So why did Warren choose being a campus cop over a city cop?

“Because of the convenice of being a student and being familar with the campus environment,” Warren said.

“The growth here, the opportunities here, the benefits are significant.”

Other reasons Warren choose to be a VCU officer were tuition waver, the training, and good relationships with co-workers.

“Becoming part of a family with the department, is apart of it, so once you’re in, your hooked”

Warren was born in Illinois, lived in chicago, and attended high school in New Jersey, so Warren is quite comfortable in an urban setting, which is another reason why Warren says VCU police department was a perfect fit for him.

Warren has faced rew risk in his 25 years on the force. But, he has faced people with knives and guns, and even had a fat lip two weeks before his wedding.

“When you deal with risk like that, you wonder if the law of averages is going to catch up with you, but I’ve been pretty fortunate”

Warren is currently in charge of directing the communications resources in the VCU police emergency communications center, investigations division, and education and training division of the VCU Police Academy. But he has another job as a full time husband and father. Married for 22 years with a teen-aged daughter, Warren says he loves his little girl.

“She’s my greatest joy, as my family’s always been.”

Watch our broadcast story on the risk and benefits of being a VCU officer.