Although Lieutenant Roosevelt Lawrence is retired from the Detroit Police Department after 31 years of duty, it hasn’t stopped him from serving the community.

He says he continues to take orders from a higher source giving him a lifetime license to serve.

“I’m convinced that the creator wanted me to be a helper,” says 56-year-old Lawrence, who grew up on Detroit’s eastside and graduated from Eastern Michigan University. “I do it without thinking about it. I always wanted to be a police officer to help people, and I always wanted a chance to teach.”

Lawrence has fulfilled both dreams serving as an active member on various organizations that includes the NAACP, Michigan Youth in Government, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Triumph Church and as a precinct delegate. He mentors young African American police officers and teaches about 45 students at A. Phillip Randolph Career and Technical Center how to best serve the community in the public safety industry.

“The public safety class is filled with young people who want to help people, not just carry a badge and a gun. It is a joy to see people begin to help themselves and then to become helpers,” says Lawrence, a father of two. “I tell youth that they must finish what they start and to do it with integrity and some character. This brings confidence, trust and honesty that will show.”

While Lawrence is content with guiding young ones down career paths in public safety, he hopes to assist the City of Detroit on a larger level.

“I would love to be a part of the bigger picture to assist with the comeback of Detroit,” said Lawrence. “I’m a Detroit guy who loves this city. I want to be a part of that group that will give it a jump start.”