Share the Dream: My Life, My Focus, My Goal Share the Dream: My Life, My Focus, My Goal: Bedoev, Marat

Talent Merit Scholarship Recipient

Hello, my name is Marat. A rather unique name which many find troublesome to pronounce and yet one that has defined me for 19 years now. I come from an unremarkable Russian city of Vladikavkaz, nuzzled in the Kavkaz mountains in the European sector of the huge nation. And yet in such a small city I had the biggest amount of the brightest memories of my life, from my grandparents to my mother and father and my friends whom I still talk to across the timezones now separating us. I was a dreamer ever since I was little, and it was easy to impress me from the words of my aunt, especially after she showed me her patrol cruiser that she operated within the Russian police. I believe that one core memory positioned me for a dream 16 years in the making and almost nearing its completion. A dream of becoming a law enforcement officer. Ever since that realization I began to seek out anything police related from series, to movies and toys. Coincidentally or perhaps not I happened to stumble onto Home Alone, and for the first time saw American police in one of the scenes, with the peaked hats, the legendary Ford Crown Victoria cruisers and the classic cinematic arrogance. From that moment forward I made it a life mission to somehow, in some way make it to the United States and turn that dream into a reality.

Although law enforcement requires no university degree I was still determined to receive an education to increase my chances of climbing the ranks faster, and as high school was nearing its end for me I realized I had to find a university not just by its program but by its comfort and inclusion. I looked at many universities within several states, dozens of open houses and countless applications submitted, yet I still had no idea where I wanted to go. I did not know about UMass Dartmouth until about May of my graduating year, an old friend of mine applied and was accepted to Dartmouth. Seeing him so convinced to go specifically here I got curious and asked him why of all the places he wanted to go to a university that I haven't even heard of before. In that moment, sitting in our chemistry class and listening about small things he liked about this university that I didn't even consider looking for began to fixate in my head. By the time he was done I realized that I found the university I want to continue my education in.

My main intent is to apply my major in becoming a supervisor within a local or state law enforcement agency such as the Boston Police Department or the Massachusetts State Police. Due to my current situation I am privileged to have the unique combination of military background and college education which in combination will assist me in becoming a competent supervisory officer which will be capable of resolving any disputes that may arise between my officers and the general public.

Additionally I want to work to better the public image of not just the law enforcement within our state but nationwide by lobbying for publicity campaigns, more public relations efforts, public safety announcements and a more approachable image for our police officers. In combination with professionalism, transparency and integrity I believe that the Boston Police Department can become one of the finest departments within our country or perhaps even push itself onto the international arena alongside equally notorious departments such as the LAPD, NYPD and departments from other nations.