Becoming a Policeman a Lifelong Dream for Brother Joshua Nytch FROM THE TIME HE WAS A TODDLER, JOSHUA NYTCH KNEW WHAT HE WANTED TO BE WHEN HE GREW UP: A POLICE OFFICER. BROTHER NYTCH SAYS HE OWES THIS CAREER CHOICE TO HIS GRANDFATHER WHO WAS A POLICEMAN. in Binghamton, New York, and has worked within the division of the New York State Office of Mental Health Police since 2009. “We literally help talk people off the ledge,” Brother Nytch explained.
Josh as a youngster dressing up as a police officer.
“EVER SINCE I WAS TWO OR YOUNGER, I’D DRESS UP AS A COP EVERY DAY. I KNEW FROM EARLY ON THAT IS WHAT I WANTED TO DO.”
Born and raised in Binghamton, Brother Nytch said it means a lot to him to serve in the capacity of law enforcement within his hometown. And while he has seen the political climate surrounding law enforcement shift on a national level, Brother Josh said things haven’t changed much in Binghamton. “We’re always doing different events in the community, and the support is unparalleled,” he said. One thing Brother Nytch wishes people would better understand about the life of a first responder is the stress it can put on spouses. Josh said his wife, Christina, learned this firsthand, as his hours are unpredictable, the work can, of course, be dangerous, and the extra weight of being home on her own with a new baby was hard.
“Ever since I was two or younger, I’d dress up as a cop every day. I knew from early on that is what I wanted to do,” Brother Nytch said, adding that most photos of him as a young child are taken with him in a dress-up police uniform. For a short time while attending college, Brother Nytch thought he wanted to be a politician, and even ran for office when he was just 18 years old, until he realized that it was not a good fit for him after all. Now 42 years of age, he is a policeman
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Brother Nytch poses with fellow bagpipers in New Hampshire.
The Northern Light
