Military Veteran Officer Robert Hintzen Speaks of Feeling Blessed to Serve Oakland

It was an 11-year journey for Robert Hintzen to join the Oakland Police Department.

After graduating high school at 17, he joined the Marines and served in Afghanistan against the Taliban in "Operation Enduring Freedom" until 2004.  He was disabled and eventually came home to find his bearings.

Working with his father for a time in construction gave him some steady legs as he began looking for a career.

He began to study for the civil service test and passed it in 2007. 

Soon after, he found a position with the Paterson police, but after five years, due to a reduction in force, he was laid off.

Hintzen then found a position with the Bergen County police, but he and 26 other personnel were laid off in 2017 due to a merger with the sheriff's department. 

"I was now in my early 30's, a veteran of a war and two jobs in law enforcement, but I felt like I was nowhere,” Hintzen recalled.

Then fortune smiled on Hintzen.

He was hired by Oakland's police force in January, 2018.

He brought with him all the knowledge and experiences he had in the military and in police work.

"In Oakland," he said, "I found the place where people like the police, a place with positive energy, a place in which I can use all my knowledge, skill and experience for the good of the people."

Hintzen sees himself every day in Oakland's youth.

He knows they have much to learn and that some will learn the hard way.   After a war and his work in an urban city, he said, "I am more reflective and I think of consequences."

"Oakland is a leader in programs which extend through all age groups,” Hintzen added. “Oakland's residents know more about what we do and they appreciate the work being done." 

He frequently gets positive feedback and feels residents’ gratitude, especially during his summer work on the Route 202 project.

He worked overtime almost every day with no vacation and no spending so "I could get back on my feet."

Hintzen considers himself blessed to work in the borough, and when asked what he hopes for now, he said:  "One day when I reach my retirement from the Oakland Police, I want to be able to open a bait and tackle shop and do some fishing here."

This story was written by Crossroads correspondent Terri Casaleggio,