A North Texas police department is turning to college athletes as part of a creative strategy to recruit new officers. The Corinth Police Department is spotlighting former college athletes now serving as officers in its ranks, saying their discipline, adaptability and team-oriented mindset make t hem well-suited for careers in law enforcement. “There’s no better career more suited to their talents and their skill sets than being a law enforcement officer,” said Officer Dallas Schoen. “They were coachable, they were able to go out and perform well so that’s what we’re looking for when they come to our agency. They’re able to perform under pressure, they’re able to be coachable, learn as they go, adapt, be committed to a cause.” The department recently featured the athletes-turned-officers on its Facebook page as part of an outreach effort. The goal is to attract high-quality candidates during a time when police agencies nationwide are still grappling with staffing shortfalls that began in 2020. Schoen said the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest contributed to a drop in interest in police work, but added that trust has been gradually rebuilt since then. The department, located in Denton County, is focusing on what sets it apart: its people, policies and a supportive work environment. Among Corinth’s 40 sworn officers, four played college sports. Patrol Officer Lucas Mullinax, who played baseball at California State University San Bernardino and Victor Valley College, said his experience as a catcher prepared him well for the field. “Playing baseball, I was a catcher. I was always taking control of the field and being that leader,” Mullinax said. “I had some friends that were cops and talked me into it, and once I started to dive into it, I realized this was more my personality, and that’s how I ended up changing career paths.” Mullinax originally intended to become a teacher. He said that, just as a catcher must track every player’s position and movements, officers need to know what every team member is doing during a scene. To stay competitive with larger agencies, Corinth PD has also relaxed policies on tattoos and facial hair. “As a smaller agency, it’s sometimes hard to think of new initiatives to attract [candidates],” Schoen said. “The larger agencies have a little more money and things they can put into recruitment basis.” Patrol Officer Dayton Elsey, who ran track at Western Texas College, comes from a law enforcement family. He compared police teamwork to running a relay. “You hand a baton off, right?” Elsey said. “So us on a patrol level: The dispatchers hand it off to us on the call, we do our thing on the streets, and then we pass that on to our investigators, so on toward a successful prosecution.” “Everyone’s here for each other and holds each other accountable,” he added. Asked how fast he can run now, Elsey laughed and said, “I’m 35 now, so I’d probably pull a hammy if I take off too fast. I can still get up and go a little bit, go after my kids. That’s what keeps me going.” Corporal Kip Daily, a former cornerback for Kansas State University, said football helped prepare him for police work through lessons in discipline and performing under pressure. “There’s a lot of preparation going into [both], a lot of film study, which we did both in football and law enforcement, watch a lot of film,” Daily said. He also confirmed he’s tackled “a few” suspects during foot chases. While Friday night lights have been replaced by the flashing red and blue lights of patrol vehicles, the officers say the principles they learned on the field still guide their work. “It’s just building that team atmosphere, having each other’s backs and always being there for one another,” Mullinax said. ...read more read less