As police departments across Texas try to fill open jobs, UNT Dallas hosted a career expo Friday.
The school launched its Criminal Justice and Public Safety Career Expo in 2016, and it now includes local departments, the Texas Department of Public Safety and federal agencies like Homeland Security, Secret Service and Customs and Border Protection.
"I don't know of another event that brings recruiters from these agencies, the academic components, the programs that help prepare these young people and then all of the assets together in one space," says Eric Coleman, a senior criminal justice lecturer at UNT Dallas. "We've been very proud of what we've been able to accomplish. The support of our administration and, really, the campus allow for us to be able to do this."
Several departments brought SWAT trucks and patrol cars. Dallas Police and CareFlite landed helicopters outside.
"I wanted to see the vehicles," one student said.
Another who plans to study law says she wanted to ask questions about how officers got involved in their careers.
"What's the best thing about the job? Why did they want to do it, and what's the process of getting there?" she said.
DPS Sergeant Germaine Gaspard says the event gives agencies a chance to answer questions but also show the variety of careers available in law enforcement.
"The big thing is understanding what the Department of Public Safety offers, and what we do. Many people see the uniform, but they don't recognize we do so much more," he says. "We work in the crime lab, we have the Texas Rangers, we have special agents, we have [explosive ordnance disposal]."
Gaspard says departments also have non-commissioned jobs including crime scene investigators, dispatchers and support staff like mechanics or information technology. He says bringing cars, trucks and helicopters in addition to handing out brochures can show the variety of options.
"At UNT Dallas specifically, a lot of these kids are first generation college, so we want them to be able to see, touch and feel what their future can be if they take care of their business and stay focused," he says.
While the job fair can show available positions in law enforcement, UNT Dallas' Coleman says the event can also help police develop relationships with young people outside a time of crisis.
"It really establishes a positive rapport between young people and police," he says. "Not just where they have to rely on bad stories that sometimes occur in the news. They actually get up close and personal."
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