Behind The Badge: Officer Brandon Kimbrough

Editor's note: This is another in a series of articles produced by the Rochester Police Department to introduce another officer to the Rochester community by them speaking in their own words through a series of set questions. Today's offering is on Officer Brandon Kimbrough

What inspired you to become a police officer?
When I was younger, a local officer named Dave Hall took an interest in me. He saw potential and recognized I was hanging around the wrong crowd. He brought me to a police convention where I got to see the camaraderie in law enforcement up close. While we were there, they had a bench press competition that immediately caught my attention because bodybuilding was my hobby at the time. The referee for the competition was Dover Officer John Tarmey, who looked like a complete monster to me back then. In that moment, I pictured my older self in a uniform, being as big and strong as he was. That image stuck with me. I also grew up watching COPS, and the idea of the job, the action, the challenge, never knowing what the day would bring, really appealed to me. At the time, policing felt like a truly admirable career. Twenty-two years later, with two years left, I can look back and know that moment set me on the right path. Early in my career, I realized a police officer really can make a difference in someone’s life.

What’s your favorite part about serving the Rochester community?
My favorite part is that I get to serve the same community I live in. It means more to me because I actually have skin in the game. The work we do in uniform directly improves the quality of life for the people and places I care about when I’m out of uniform too. That connection makes me take a lot of pride in the job.

Tell us something about yourself that most people wouldn’t know.
I’m big into anything exercise-related and love being outdoors, especially anywhere with a great view. One random talent most people don’t know about is that I can spin several basketballs at once using my hands, elbows, feet, and even my mouth by balancing them on anything with a point.