In 2017, Mike Boaz started his first year as Chief of Police for the North Lamar ISD Police Department and he had one mission: build relationships with students.
Since then, not only has Boaz and his team built strong relationships with the students but they’re also changing students perception of police.
“We counsel a lot and we provide students with a different avenue than perhaps your normal counselor, principal or parent,” said Boaz. “We give them a different approach and it’s worked out very well.”
Boaz, along with Officer Daron Dagenhart, Officer Jeff Akard and Officer Joe Tuttle, who have a combined 110-years experience, wants to help the students in any way they can.
“We’ve all seen the good and the bad over the years in law enforcement and If we can send one kid in the right direction then we’ve done our jobs.”
Part of building relationships and trust with students means making officers more approachable.
“We just wanted to make ourselves more approachable by the kids and in doing that we’ve adopted is facial hair,” explained Boaz. “We went off Lubbock’s policy and it’s worked pretty well.”
Boaz said after doing some research, he found many departments nationwide have adopted the facial hair policy.
“With schools these days, if you make yourself more available and more approachable it helps these kids come to talk to us if they have a problem.”
Another change Boaz recently introduced are external vests which are also known as “weight-bearing vests”.
“We went to these vests after seeing Reno PD went to them and we did some research and found out its reducing workman comp claims, it helps with back problems etc.”
Boaz said they carry around roughly 25lbs and these new vests distribute the weight evenly across the body instead of in one place.
“We were a little concerned about the vests being unapproachable but the kids and parents received it really well and our administration supported so it’s been great,” said Boaz.
In keeping with being approachable, the department will also wear jeans from time to time but typically wear slacks and a polo.
“The kids just see a different side of us and they see us as a little more normal. They know they can come and talk to us so by doing all these things that’s what we’re hoping to get done.”
“As long as these kids see that we’re trying to do everything we can to protect them that’s the main thing.”
