My name is La-Vora Chambers Better and I’m a Postal Police supervisor. I work at the Curseen-Morris and Southern Maryland processing and distribution centers in the Washington, DC, area.
The Postal Police protect USPS employees, property and facilities.
One of the first things supervisors do on a daily basis is conduct a roll call. We motivate our officers to not get complacent, to be aware and to say something if they see something.
We also plan and coordinate with management. We secure the infrastructure and make sure doors are locked and secured. We work to keep everybody safe.
The Postal Police also patrol the postal community. We have officers on foot patrol, vehicle patrol and at a control center. As supervisors, we assist the officers on most of the calls we receive. You have to be a people person to do this job. You have to be a really good listener.
In addition to my supervisor duties, I’m also a firearms instructor, CPR instructor and defense tactical coordinator.
My postal career began in 1994 when I became a letter carrier. I was always interested in law enforcement, so when a supervisor told me the Postal Police were hiring, I took the test and applied. I was hired in 2008, entered the Postal Police Academy and graduated eight weeks later.
I’m married and I have a son and daughter. When I’m not working, I play in a basketball league for women 50 and older. I also like swimming, golfing, spending time with my family and vacationing in Myrtle Beach, SC. That’s my getaway.
I love working for the Postal Police. What we do is very important. Employees know they can depend on us. If something happens, we’ll be there.