Cpl. Percy Alston is the head of Prince George’s Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 89, which represents about 1,500 officers and more than 1,100 retirees. At 45, Alston has been a Prince George’s County police officer for almost 24 years and head of the union for four years.

Why did you decide to become a police officer?

I think like most of us, we have a yearning for the thrill and the excitement and also an internal calling to help others and do good in the community.

What’s the most challenging part of your job as union head?

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I guess when we encounter situations or problems and we bring those problems to the leadership, be they the county leaders or the police department leadership, and those problems don’t get fixed either immediately or in reasonable amounts of time.

What should people know about Prince George’s County police officers?

Having done some police work around the country, I can honestly say that I would put our officers up against any in this country. Against some Herculean difficulties and tasks on a regular basis, Prince George’s County police officers do a tremendous, heroic job.

What’s the most dangerous situation you’ve found yourself in as an officer?

I think for me going through the door [on a] search warrant on the house of a drug dealer, and the door opens up and the drug dealer is standing there with a gun in his hand. That makes you pay attention very closely.

Is there any correlation to the battles you fight when you’re on duty and when you’re in your role as head of the union?

Absolutely, I think our officers are out there defending oftentimes those who can’t defend themselves, defending people who are preyed upon by people with greater power. And, oftentimes, as president my job is to defend our officers who are not powerless, but they work for ... a police department administration and a county administration, and they serve the citizens.