On the Job: Emanuel Taylor

Emanuel Taylor is a crime analyst for Wayne State University who has worked with the Flint Police Department over the past year.

“I analyze crime trends, so I create the crime map with symbols that show what the different crimes on the map mean,” says Taylor, who graduated from Flint Southwestern Classical Academy in 2008. “That way, the community knows where the crime happens in the city of Flint.”

Taylor’s days mostly consist of meetings, reading through crime logs and running reports. What he does is called Comp Stats, which is a data-driven approach to fighting crime.

Taylor, 27, originally wet his feet in the research world while working for the Flint Public Library during his time with Summer Youth Initiative.

Below, he talks about his job, his experience with SYI and more.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Being able to help the community. I grew up in the city of Flint. I’ve been here 27 years, so it’s a passion for me.

What is your proudest work-related moment?

About a year ago, there was a suspect wanted for a homicide on the south side of Flint. After doing some research, I found his real name and learned that he was on parole. I passed on the name of his parole officer, and the suspect was apprehended later that day. It was a good feeling to help get that guy off the street.

What are your plans for the future?

Eventually, I would like to go into federal law enforcement. I’m in the process of becoming a United States Postal Inspector, which is a type of federal agent.

What is your most memorable lesson from SYI?

The main lesson that I learned was to stay organized and on top of things. It’s easy to get discombobulated when things start piling up and getting disorganized.

What kind of advice can you give to current and future SYI students?

Make sure that your interviewing skills are up to speed. You should be confident when you walk into an interview or are talking to people in general – especially if you want to work in the public sector like I do.

TeenQuest and Summer Youth Initiative are made possible through the generous support of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Ruth Mott Foundation, Hagerman Foundation, and other generous funders.