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How long have you been with the GPPD? 10 months

Typical work day: This is kind of a tough question since each day is so different; there really isn't a "typical" workday. However, after reporting for briefing, I patrol my beat paying attention to areas where we have close patrols, answer calls for service and in between calls I fill the time with self-initiated activity.

Why did you decide to become a police officer? I wanted to help people that fall victim to those individuals in society that only care about their own desires; disregarding laws and the common knowledge of how people ought to act towards each other.

Most rewarding: Leaving a scene knowing you at least made a mark in the life a child who is a situation they cannot change.

Greatest challenges: Applying what you learned in the academy to the real world, and deciphering what works in the classroom and what works on the streets.

Reasons you chose Grand Prairie: Desired a change. For the last four years I have worked for a much smaller police department in Minnesota. I found that I longed for opportunities to challenge myself in other areas of law enforcement other than patrol; for example Narcotics and SWAT. After much prayerful consideration I felt as though this is where I ought to be.

Advice for potential recruits: Listen to former or current officers who have "been there, done that." The academy can only teach you so much... your peers and life experiences will be what makes you a good officer.

The City of Grand Prairie is in the process of building a new police center. Construction is underway with a grand opening scheduled for 2010. The 130,000-square-foot police center will be nearly triple the size of the existing 49,500-square-foot facility and will house fire administration, police administration, the Criminal Investigation Division, Field Operations and Support Services, Patrol, Jail, Police/Fire Communications, Records, Property and Evidence, Community Relations and a public meeting room overlooking a pond.

Construction was completed this past May on a minor league baseball stadium. The 4,000-seat stadium is home to the Grand Prairie AirHogs, which won the Southern Division American Association Championship in their inaugural season.

(BTW, these first two projects, along with the construction of a new senior citizen center, are being funded by a voter-approved half cent sales tax that was previously used to build Lone Star Park.)

Design is underway for a Lake Parks Rescue Facility that will house a replacement building for the existing Fire Station No. 7 and will feature a police substation and the Lake Patrol Division. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2008.