Arlington County police Capt. Michelle Nuneville is about to enter her 25th year of police work and heads the county’s 3rd District, a diverse stretch covering everything in the county south of Route 50 except the Pentagon and Crystal City. Born in Japan to a CIA agent father, Nuneville moved to Northern Virginia when she was 4.
What trends are you observing?
We have a plethora of larceny from autos, particularly Global Positioning Systems. As soon as the hottest GPS hits the market, we’re seeing it being stolen. We’re reminding residents to keep their doors locked.
Graffiti has also become an issue, but it’s not necessarily gang graffiti. The kids are out of school and they’re tagging. We’re also starting to see catalytic converters being stolen [for scrap metal]. Toyotas are particularly hot for that. And [last week] we had our first report of a vehicle having gas siphoned out of it, but with gas prices starting to go down, it’ll be interesting to see if more pop up.
What are the more difficult aspects of your job?
It’s like being a rubber band — I’m stretched in several different directions and have to be flexible to meet the demands of the department, the county and residents. People may not always like the way we do things. … We have to prioritize, while also making sure everyone’s needs are met.
What inspired you to become a police officer?
It seemed challenging. I wanted to do it since I was 13. I watched a lot of crime TV shows and those got me interested at 13, even though they’re not representative of the actual job.
I like working with people and knowing that every day is different. I’ve moved all around the department and have had the opportunity to enjoy a well-rounded career.
What do you do in your free time?
I teach water aerobics; it’s an outlet for me and gives me the opportunity to do something other than police work. I play golf, although not well, I read and I spend time with my husband. I just bought a [Nintendo] Wii, and I find it to be a great stress reliever.
