Tell Us About Yourself
My name is Nancy Lantz and I am 43 years old. I started my career later in life at 35. I started out working as a Uniform Patrol Officer out of the Mountain Station. While working as a Uniformed Patrol Officer I was trained as a Scenes of Crime Officer, Domestic Violence Officer as well as a Coach Officer. In Sept 2005 I moved into a Detective Constable position in the Criminal Investigation Division also out of the Mountain Station. I am of Aboriginal decent and my family is from Six Nations Reserve in Ohsweken. Prior to policing I was a teacher and worked on the Six Nations Reserve and also taught a year in Moose Factory.
I graduated from Brock University with a Phys. Ed degree and also obtained my teaching credentials from Brock as well. I am currently taking an on-line program with Niagara College to obtain a Certificate in Criminal Psychology. I have chosen this method of learning to accommodate a very busy home life. I have a wonderful husband who is also a Police Officer with a specialty Unit in Niagara and a 4 year old and thirteen year old.
I am also volunteering in my community.
Why did you choose policing as a career?
I pursued a policing career back in March of 1998 when I was unable to secure a full time teaching position. I was a single mother at the time and wanted to provide a stable home life my daughter.
Several friends approached me and said I possessed many qualities needed to become a police officer. I approached the Hamilton Police Service and low and behold three months later I was at Ontario Police College.
How fit do you need to be?
I have always been active and very sport minded. However, in order to apply I did quit smoking and started jogging. Since joining I have been more active, I ran my first triathalon at 40 and placed 4th.
What satisfies you about your job?
This job has a great potential to have several careers within the Hamilton Police within different offices. I currently am a Detective Constable and conduct investigations of all kinds. I would like to eventually be a Sgt. in the Child Abuse Branch or Sexual Assault Branch.
My most satisfying moment being on the job thus far came when I was invited to a young boy's graduation from an Alternative Youth Program. I was touched and honored that this young boy attributed his success in part to my efforts when I had contact with him as a patrol officer.
What really surprises you about being a police officer?
My biggest surprise about being a police officer was my own misconception of a police officers role. My son of four thinks I am out chasing and catching bad guys. I often explain to him and many interested candidates that 80% of the time I am dealing with victims of crime, whether it is a simple nuisance call to a more serious assault.
What do friends and family think of your work?
My youngest like I said earlier thinks Mom has a cool job and wishes to become a police officer one day. On the other hand my daughter of 13 would rather have normal parents who were not so over protective, which she says is because of the job. Overall my family and friends have been supportive of my career choice.
Would you recommend a career in policing?
I would recommend this job to anyone who felt policing was of an interest to them. I can say that no day is the same and I felt my teaching career was fulfilling and this job is much more. I still wake up everyday looking forward to going to work.
If you have any questions on policing, please e-mail me at nlantz@hamiltonpolice.on.ca