Meet Auxiliary Police Officer Deshawn Irby Of Clinton Hill

We first met Deshawn Irby at this summer’s National Night Out festivities in Fort Greene Park, where he, along with his fellow auxiliary police officers of the 88th Precinct — unpaid volunteers who train as peace officers to be additional eyes and ears for the NYPD — chatted and posed for photos with children and families from the neighborhood. But for APO Irby, smiling and chatting wasn’t enough: he wanted to get down and dance with his neighbors, too.

So he did. The 26-year-old Clinton Hill native became the “dancing cop” for everyone that day, dancing to everything from the macarena to club beats to R&B. He danced not just with his neighbors, but with local elected officials and community leaders such as Councilmember Laurie Cumbo and Delia Hunley Adossa of the 88th Precinct Community Council.

We had a chance to chat with Irby to talk about dancing, police-community relations, and growing up in Clinton Hill.

Why do you dance?

A lot of people see us and they tense up, give us a weird eye, and feel like they have to be a certain way around us. I dance to let them know we’re people, too. Even though we wear the uniform, we’re people. We’re all one and I’m going to show that we’re not all disciplinary.

All the time, I see people come up and thank us, including me. A lot of kids take pictures of us. It feels good to know that we are role models and have some sort of positive outlook for the community, especially the kids. This generation needs some positive reinforcement.

Is that part of the reason why you became an auxiliary police officer?

I’ve always admired law enforcement — half of my family is in it, so I’ve always wanted to follow in their footsteps. I joined because I wanted to help give back to the community. It helps to know you can put on the uniform and make a difference.

I’ve done a tour with the 9/11 detail in Manhattan, helping to direct traffic. Every year we go to homeless shelters, donate toys, and feed people. We go to community council meetings every third week of the month. We’re here to protect the community and here for them. We also do outreach and patrol in other precincts, as well.

I have two certifications since starting the program. I’m one of the officers who is RMP-qualified to drive a car and a van. My goal is to use this as a stepping stone to becoming a police officer one day.

What is your biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge so far is trying to get back into law enforcement, because I was working for traffic at one point, but got hurt, so I’m trying to get back in. This makes me feel like I’m doing something good for the community.

You said your family is also in law enforcement. What do they think of your goals?

I grew up in Clinton Hill and moved to Bed-Stuy and moved back, but I have family in both neighborhoods. My family is excited because they know I’m on my way to becoming an actual officer. I have four sisters and three brothers. I’m four of eight and have a twin sister who is a half-hour older than me.

Where did you go to school? What did you study?

I went to PS 11, MS 113 Edmonds Learning Center and majored in music, and Brooklyn High School of the Arts where I majored in vocal music. Music is my passion.

I’m actually also a singer, doing karaoke in my spare time. It’s a way for me to let loose. I sing R&B, pop, country, jazz, gospel. . . I also like to write songs and do open mics.