Officer Helena Nansen is a prime example of determination and character.
Whenever Helena Nansen shopped in her local Walmart in Anchorage, Alaska, she immediately noticed the professionalism and camaraderie among the three Signal 88 officers on duty at the store. Having worked in security herself, Helena noted a difference in how these patrol officers interacted and kept the store safe.
“One day, I asked one of them, ‘How do you like your job?’ He told me his bosses treated him well and they always help if you need help,” Helena says. “I love that! To me, communication is so important in your work.”
Seeing how Signal 88 officers worked on site, motivated Helena to apply for a position with #258 Signal 88 Security of Anchorage. She was hired in November 2020 and started as a patrol/dedicated officer and in February was appointed a Signal 88 officer with the Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API). API is Alaska’s only public psychiatric hospital and serves mainly the uninsured and Medicare and Medicaid patients.
Helena works alongside two other Signal 88 officers on her 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. shifts at the psychiatric facility. Together they assist the nurses and doctors when any hands-on help is needed with patients and they patrol the units and hallways. Helena’s steady work ethic and friendly demeanor show why she earned the July Officer of the Month.
“Helena started off on other patrol/dedicated contracts and worked her way over to API after working only five months for the company. Helena is a single mother of five children and still is more than willing to put in an extra shift for me when I ask,” API Site Manager Valerie Anderson explains. “She has been a team player and comes to work prepared.”
As a mother of three boys, ages 10, 6 and 4, and two 8-year-old twin daughters, Helena knows how to manage priorities and is adept at communicating clearly. “I love working with Signal 88,” Helena shares. “They are a good company and will always help you out and they work with your schedule. I am happy and excited about this award.”
Site Manager Valerie explains that Helena’s peers voted her in as Officer of the Month. “We also looked at her attendance and Helena has never called out,” Valerie adds. “She does exceptional work and her peers like working with her and she interacts with the API staff really well. I haven’t had any complaints on Helena. She’s done really well.”
Excellent all the way around, Helena! We are honored to award you with the July Officer of the Month.