Updated: December 2, 2012 6:48AM

ELMWOOD PARK — An Elmwood Park native, Deputy Police Chief Andrew Hock always wanted to be a police officer.

He worked his way up through the ranks of the department, starting as an auxiliary police officer in 1990. He is 47 years old and has been the department’s deputy chief for a year.

Q: Why did you want to become a police officer?

A: I became a police officer because I wanted to help people. As long as I could remember, at age 5 probably, I always knew I wanted to be a police officer. I was born and raised in Elmwood Park and maybe it was from seeing the officers around town. I always knew I wanted to do that. You can’t ask for a better way to help people.

Q: What made you want to keep going for promotions rather than stay a beat cop?

A: I like to excel in whatever I do. I believe if you are going to do something, you might as well try to be the best at it.

Q: Has police worked changed since you started as a police officer?

A: The call volume from when I started to now has dramatically increased. The challenges as far as being a police officer these days, everybody is watching what you are doing, and you have to be dedicated to serving the community and the people. If you came into this for any other option, then police work is not the career you should take. We’re here to serve the people of Elmwood Park and that’s it.

Q: What are the highs that come with the job?

A: The biggest high I get is the gratitude when you do help somebody. When you save somebody’s life. When you help somebody and were there for him or her. Being compassionate when a family member dies. You get a lot of gratitude for it.

Q: What are the lows that come with the job?

A: Going to calls when somebody gets hurt in an accident. An elderly lady’s home gets burglarized and she loses some of her prized possessions and you don’t have a suspect, it affects people. You want to be able to help everybody and sometimes you can’t.

Q: Do you watch police related television shows?

A: I really don’t watch police-related shows. I like watching the History Channel and things like that. Andy Griffith is my favorite cop show.

Q: What do you do when you are not at work?

A: Play golf and I barbecue a lot.

Q: What’s your favorite food?

A: I would have to say linguine and white clam sauce from Jim and Pete’s restaurant.

Q: If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

A: As far as career, I wouldn’t change anything. I couldn’t be happier to do what I’ve done. Working with everybody in Elmwood Park has been a pleasure, even the neighboring communities; it’s been a pleasure.

Q: Would you like to be the head of your own department?

A: At some point, yes.

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