29 Apr 2024 501Der Women 2024: Mandee Love
As the daughter and sister of law enforcement officers, Mandee Love was always destined to serve. When she became Quitman’s School Resource Officer through the Quitman Police Department in 2015, Love answered her calling to not only protect the community she calls home but also help grow the youth within it.
“I have been around law enforcement my whole life,” Love said. “My dad is a retired law enforcement officer, and my oldest brother was an officer, too. I knew that I wanted to do something that helped youth, so when I discovered that, as a School Resource Officer, I could be in law enforcement and help youth, it was the best of both worlds to me.”
Her work in law enforcement began in 2005 with the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office. Ten years later, she was hired by Quitman. Her duties range from building strong relationships with students, staff and parents to assisting youth who are struggling academically, socially or behaviorally—all while promoting a positive school atmosphere.
To Mandee, law enforcement isn’t work, however, it’s a labor of love. From carrying the Special Olympics torch through the streets of Quitman to receiving the school’s Shine Bright award recognizing her kindness and compassion, there’s nothing she wouldn’t do to light the way for others.
“It is possible to enjoy what you do as a career, no matter where you come from,” Love said. “You determine where you are going. You can do hard things.”
Mandee’s advice to her younger self and others would be to never forget what makes you unique. “Don’t compare yourself to others,” Love said. “Be comfortable with who you are and never stop fighting for what you believe in. Two things that you are in total control of in your life are your attitude and your effort. Don’t be afraid of hard work, and always ask yourself if you got better today.”
“Officer Love is far more than a School Resource Officer to Quitman Schools and our community,” Quitman Assistant Superintendent and Athletic Director Michael Stacks said. “She is a teacher, a leader and a trusted friend to everyone. She serves on our Response to Intervention team and is always focused on making decisions based upon what is best for all our students. She has the huge responsibility of ensuring everyone on our campus is safe at all times, and she takes that job very seriously. Officer Love is a Bulldog through and through!”
Contact Officer Love today at [email protected].