She stands just under 5’2”, but as a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy assigned to the agency’s Community Relations Section, Deputy Angie Powell has a big impact, both in the workplace and in the community. Deputy Powell works to teach and promote safety awareness throughout Hillsborough County’s Elementary Schools. I teach the kids about the consequences of shoplifting and criminal mischief. I tell them about the dangers of drug use, and how to maintain stranger awareness and how to keep themselves safe from accidental injury.” But Deputy Powell sees her role as more than educating kids about potential dangers.

“It’s important to put yourself in the kid’s position, and to give them encouragement to strive to become whatever they want to be,“ stresses the articulate and enthusiastic Powell. “I want to let these kids know that they are valuable, and that I value them. I want to leave them with the knowledge that if they believe in themselves and work hard, they can achieve almost anything.”

Deputy Powell should know. She earned her Master’s Degree in Public Administration while juggling a career, a husband and a child on the way. Because she has children of her own, Deputy Powell feels she has an even stronger connection to the children she interacts with. She explains, “Frequently, kids will recognize me while I’m off-duty, and the parents will tell me how much their child benefited from a safety presentation. Knowing that my work is helping families to stay safe, and also helping people understand that the role of law enforcement is to be a neighbor to the communities we serve makes my job incredibly rewarding.”