APPLETON, Wis. — An Appleton police officer recently retired and found a new line of work in the community.
After over a decade in law enforcement, Ignacio Enriquez is walking a new path as he starts his own business designed to help others.
It’s a different work environment than what Enriquez is used to. In January, he retired from the Appleton Police Department to start his own business, called Ascent Consulting.
“It was humbling. I learned a lot not only about the profession, but I learned a lot about myself, what it means to be a member of the community and an advocate at the same time,” Enriquez said.
Enriquez spent 15 years with the Appleton Police Department. He said it was hard to leave such a wonderful place.
Courtesy: Ignacio Enriquez
It was a career he said he loved and had a lot of passion for, but he knew his skill set could help more than just one community. Enriquez worked as a behavioral health officer and member of the negotiations team with APD.
“Now, I primarily focus on helping other first responders or law enforcement officer with their own mental wellbeing,” Enriquez said.
He’s doing so by using his own life experiences as an officer and his degree as a licensed professional counselor.
“I truly believe that in my heart that I can now provide other resources to folks who are in law enforcement or other first responders in a way that hopefully, I can highlight the beautiful and greatness that they possess so they can find their better person,” Enriquez said.
Through his business, he’s able to help provide resources and counseling for first responders. He said his mission as a public servant isn’t changing; he is just working from a different perspective.
“I want to continue to save lives. I want to continue to essentially be the spark of hope for many people,” Enriquez said.
He said the spark he has found in himself while in the line of duty is something he can use to help others.