The People

(page 5 of 8)

MARY LINDGREN
30, detective
Started at age 23 with the Prospect Heights Police Department. Promoted to detective in December 2006.

We have good benefits in law enforcement. The pension— after 20 years I get half of my last salary.... I can retire when I'm 43.... I'm back in school now and I'm getting a master's.... [Detective work is] not like on TV where you just go and find out whodunit. You need to do a lot of follow-up; it takes a lot of time. You have to have all your eggs lined up.... [Police officers make] too little. We work holidays, nights. It's not surprising to work 20 hours at a time. We put our lives out there for our community.

Styling: Ana Gagliardi