After four years in the U.S. Air Force, Officer Kyle Cummings could have pursued law enforcement almost anywhere. Instead, he chose Manning.
For Cummings, the decision came down to something simple: community.
Originally from a town about 30 minutes outside Cincinnati, OH, Cummings was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, where he served as a diesel mechanic. While living in nearby Sumter, he became familiar with Manning and saw an opportunity to begin the law enforcement career he had always envisioned.
"It's a small city," Cummings said. "You can get to know the people around there and learn the street names a lot easier. It's a small department, so the officers are pretty close."
Although he did not serve in military police during his Air Force career, law enforcement had long been his goal.
"I've always wanted to be in law enforcement," he said. "I figured I'd join the military, kind of kill some time."
What attracts him to policing is the variety that comes with the job.
"It's not a typical office job," Cummings said. "Every day changes. There are events that we do, you go out and meet different people, and calls are always different."
After leaving the Air Force, Cummings completed the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy alongside fellow rookie Officer Tityana Evans. Having someone headed to the same department made the experience easier.
"I'm glad I went with someone I knew instead of just going through by myself," he said.
Now in field training with the Manning Police Department, Cummings said he is most looking forward to patrol work. Down the road, he hopes to expand his skills if specialized opportunities become available.
"A SWAT program would be pretty cool to jump into," he said.
Unlike many new officers who see policing as a stepping stone, Cummings said he plans to make it his career.
Asked what he hopes the community knows about him, his answer was straightforward.
"I'm human, just like everybody else," he said. "I'm just doing my job."
When he's off duty, Cummings enjoys working on a project car, spending time with his dog and relaxing after work. Cummings credits his older sister, an Ohio nurse he describes as "pretty much like a second mom," as the biggest influence in his life. "She's always had my back," he said. "She's just always been there to help."
Only a short time into his career with MPD, Cummings said he already feels at home within the department.
"I love it," he said of working alongside his fellow officers. "Everybody's really nice."
As he begins serving the City of Manning, Cummings said he hopes residents will be willing to get to know him just as he hopes to get to know them.
"I hope they'd be open and willing to allow me to help them out," he said.
