Father and son share a dedication to local law enforcement

Eric Dibble dabbled in a couple of different careers, but in the end decided what he would be best at was the one career he grew up learning about -- law enforcement.

"I'd always been interested in police work with my father being in it while I was growing up," Dibble said. "I worked a few other jobs outside of college, but I just didn't feel any kind of satisfaction in the careers I had chosen. At one point, I stopped and started thinking again about law enforcement. I decided that working at a career I was interested in was probably the most important thing."

While Dibble is now an officer with the Batavia Police Department, his father remains in a senior position with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, and he had only one question about his son's career choice.

"To be honest, the biggest thing I said to him was are you sure you want to work shift work and have Tuesdays and Wednesdays off," said Deputy Chief Gordon Dibble. "That’s the first thing I said. I think everything I said to him was all about working holidays and working shift work and how that affects your family."

Dibble said being the son of a well-known cop in the community has its benefits, but the Dibble name in law enforcement also carries weight.

"I think some people give me the benefit of doubt because of it and they think I can do a good job, but I also have to live up to any kind of expectations," Eric said.

While some fathers in law enforcement might warn their sons away from such a career, Gordon said that never entered his mind.

"I've known police officers who have told their kids not to go into this career, but I think Eric is capable of doing a great job," said Gordon.

He also couldn't have picked a better community for a career in law enforcement, the chief said.

"I think the Batavia Police Department is a great department and I think the fact that he’s working there is great," Gordon said. "We all think it’s a nice area or we wouldn’t live here. I think it’s a good area to be a police officer in. I don’t know that I’d want him to be a police officer in an urban setting, but I think around here, I think it’s a great place to live and a great place to be a police officer."

WBTA's Geoff Redick conducted an in-depth interview with Gordon and Eric Dibble. Segments will air Thursday at 6, 7 and 8 a.m. The entire interview will air during Friday's Main and Center.

Photo below submitted by Gordon Dibble, taken at Eric's graduation from the police academy in Monroe County.