By Maxine Bernstein, Oregon Live
Florin Pirv developed an immense appreciation for freedom, having fled communist Romania and immigrating to America with his parents and sisters in 1981.
That love of freedom also forged a desire to make a living protecting others.
But when he arrived in the United States, the 19-year-old had several obstacles to overcome.
The family gave up a spacious home in Romania and moved into his uncle’s garage in Southern California. Pirv spoke no English and had trouble learning the language in the mostly Spanish-speaking school he first attended in Baldwin Park, Calif. Instead, Pirv studied on his own, learning 15 to 20 new English words a day.
After nine days in the United States, he found a job as a maintenance mechanic for an ambulance company. But Pirv knew he didn’t want to make a career of it. He wanted to become a police officer.
Everywhere he looked, police agencies were seeking applicants with schooling and, or, a military background.
Pirv had neither.
The tall, soft-spoken immigrant didn’t give up on his dream. Instead, he obtained a GED and furthered his education, obtaining 74 credits at a local community college. He was hired by the Long Beach Police Department in California 81/2 years ago.
Today, he’s the Portland Police Bureau’s newest recruit.
“Thank you for helping me to be here,” the 41-year-old told his parents, two younger sisters, wife and 12-year-old son who attended his swearing-in ceremony at the Justice Center last week.
His youngest sister, Tania Beaman, who now lives in Salem, beamed with pride.
“When we first moved, we came to a new country with new rules,” she said. “Here we are 22 years into it. Having a brother who struggled so much through school and through life, I’m so happy. I’m happy the road guided you here.”
Chief Derrick Foxworth welcomed Pirv, who became the bureau’s only Romanian member, and promised that his transition to the Portland police will be smooth. There are an estimated 20,000 Romanians in the metropolitan area.
“You are going to be accepted,” Foxworth told him. “I strongly believe in diversity and inclusiveness. You’re going to bring a different perspective. You were hired because of the person you are. Don’t change. Remain the same. Don’t compromise your values. Be an individual.”
After moving to California, Pirv returned to his homeland two years later and married his girlfriend, Rodica. They had to wait 13 months for her to obtain a visa before they could move to the United States together.
Pirv’s parents and two sisters all made their way to Oregon from California more than 10 years ago -- on his advice. He and his wife had toured the United States in 1986, and found Oregon’s geography and climate similar to their native Romania. They suggested his parents and siblings move there since they couldn’t stand the California heat. His parents and sisters took his suggestion, settling in Salem 15 years ago.
They waited for Florin Pirv and his wife to follow them. But the couple had just bought a home in California and weren’t ready to uproot so soon.
While working for the Long Beach police, a force of nearly 1,000 officers, Pirv handled many assignments. He worked as an undercover officer riding a ratty old bicycle while he patrolled the alleyways in downtown Long Beach looking for drug dealers and prostitutes. He also worked patrol and was assigned to a public housing project as a community-policing officer responsible for everything from parking citations to investigating homicides.
Pirv tended to sign up for busy shifts.
“He likes nights because it’s where all the action is. It’s his life,” his wife said.
But he also found time for his family and didn’t let go of his passion for soccer, playing for a local men’s league in California.
On Monday, Pirv qualified at the Portland police firing range on a .45-caliber Glock pistol and is scheduled to begin the bureau’s 15-week advanced academy Jan. 5.
He’ll hit the streets after his April 15 academy graduation. In June, he’ll attend a two-week course at the State Police academy in Monmouth geared for out-of-state officers to learn about Oregon criminal law.
In a letter to the Portland Police Bureau, his former chief, Anthony Batts, described Pirv as an outstanding officer who is committed to community-oriented policing.
Pirv said he recognizes that officers must take an interest in people’s lives to be able to make a difference, and he said he looks forward to doing much more than just slapping handcuffs on criminals.
“The biggest thanks you can get from someone is when you help them,” Pirv said. “Just pulling someone injured out of a wrecked car, or helping an elderly woman who was thrown to the ground after her purse was snatched -- you can feel their appreciation and thanks. That’s why I do it.”