LEONARDTOWN, MD — In a testament to the determination and the pursuit of the American dream, Mina Geric, a recruit at the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, became a U.S. citizen on February 8, 2024, marking a significant milestone in her journey from Montenegro to Maryland.
Geric’s path to citizenship began in high school after moving to the United States from Montenegro. Her academic and athletic prowess led her to a D1 college on an athletic scholarship, where she studied Psychology before earning a Business diploma through NCC Education in the United Kingdom. But for Geric, these accomplishments were steps toward a larger goal: becoming a naturalized citizen and serving her community in law enforcement.
After over five years of hard work towards meeting citizenship requirements and her professional aspirations, Geric joined the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office as a recruit in September 2023. Her commitment to serving her adopted country found a new expression in her ambition to protect and serve as a law enforcement officer.
Geric’s choice of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office was informed by her extensive research and admiration for the agency’s supportive culture. “I read so many good things about how this agency takes care of its people and how the Sheriff is supportive,” she said, highlighting the agency’s positive environment and her enthusiasm for her future role within it.
Her time at the academy has been both challenging and fulfilling, providing Geric with the mental, emotional, and physical preparation needed for her duties. The support from the recruitment team to the academy instructors has underscored her belief in her chosen path. “I know people want to help me and my fellow recruits succeed,” Geric stated, expressing her long-term goal of becoming a detective within the agency.
Sheriff Steve Hall lauded Geric’s commitment and decision to become an American citizen. “One of the most poignant parts for me about Recruit Geric’s story is that she chose to become an American citizen; she raised her right hand and took that oath,” Sheriff Hall remarked. He eagerly anticipates the moment Geric and her classmates will swear to serve their country and protect the county’s residents, expected to occur in April 2024 upon their graduation from the police training program at the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy.
Geric’s story vividly illustrates the diverse paths individuals take to serve their communities and the integrative role of citizenship in realizing personal and professional dreams. As she moves forward in her career, her journey from Montenegrin immigrant to U.S. citizen and law enforcement officer remains a powerful narrative of dedication, service, and belonging.
