Morgan Hill ’ s
Greg Dini
POLICE OFFICER / MORGAN HILL
Greg Dini says he never planned on becoming a police officer . The nine-year police veteran found the career path unintentionally . Dini , 39 , grew up in San Jose and majored in radio , film and television at San Jose State University . After graduating , he spent three years in Salinas producing a morning newscast at a TV station . But Dini soon discovered that it wasn ’ t what he wanted to do . While trying on a couple different jobs in San Jose , he was hired as a dispatcher in Morgan Hill .
“ I thought it would be fun and went well with my skill set as a communicator ,” Dini said . After dispatching for a year , he decided he definitely wanted to be on the other side of the microphone .
In May 2004 , Dini entered the police academy and joined the Morgan Hill Police Department six months later .
““ I like just being out in the public and talking to kids and saying hi to people and being social with members of the community ,” Dini said .
In many ways Dini is the face of the MHPD . Besides patrolling the town and attending neighborhood watch meetings , he writes the posts for the Morgan Hill Police Department ’ s Facebook page .
This year , he received the Blue and Gold Award from The Exchange Club of Gilroy for his work on the Facebook page , Twitter and other social media . Dini said social media is an effective and instantaneous way for law enforcement agencies to get out information to the public , including road closures , gas leaks , power outages , crimes and safety tips . He said the page is followed by major news outlets , which in turn spread the police department ’ s news .
Dini , who lives in San Jose , is married and has three small children , two boys ages 8 and 7 , and an 8-month-old baby girl who he and his wife adopted when she was a couple days old .
“ A lot of my free time is spent with my family ,” Dini said . “ My boys are really active . We play a lot of softball , soccer and basketball . I enjoy going to sporting events and being out with my family .”
By Kelly Barbazette