91ΒιΆΉΣ³»Police officer Abby Payne now serves the campus where she pursued a degree in mechanical engineering as part of the Universityβs inaugural class of students.
In an unusual twist of fate, Officer Abby Payne has come full circle, returning to 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Polytechnic University, not as a student, but as a member of the University Police Department. Payne was part of 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly's inaugural class, pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering.
βItβs bittersweet coming back to where I started,β she said. βItβs a wild ride being back, especially in a different capacity.
Although Payne originally sought a future in engineering, she said she discovered a profound joy in helping people and gravitated toward a career in law enforcement instead.
She worked with the Polk County Sheriffβs Office in its animal control enforcement division and soon began working as a deputy sheriff in patrol and in the traffic homicide unit, which specializes in DUI enforcement. She completed several training courses during her eight years with the department, including traffic crash reconstruction, speed measurement, and DUI field sobriety, amassing more than 400 hours of advanced training.
"I learned I had a knack for it, and I just loved it," Payne said.
While working with the Sheriffβs Office, Payne said she found herself interacting with 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly officers more and more, deciding that a change of pace and shift toward more intensive community policing would better suit her.
She joined the 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly Police in September of 2023.
βThe campus is small and family oriented β everybody knows everybody and is essentially on a first-name basis,β Payne said. βI get to connect with everyone, whether at a department or students.β
As the youngest officer on the force at 27, Payne said sheβs able to find common ground with students who are closer to her age.
βItβs great to be this close to their age bracket and be able to pass on knowledge and connect, especially during exam time,β she said. βI can say, βI was in your shoes here. I completely get the stress.β
βAs part of the department, itβs good to know that at 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly, we make a bigger difference.β
Contact:
Lydia GuzmΓ‘n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
