Just three years ago the Electra Police Department was in disarray, but now under Police Chief Michael Dozier, the department is back on it’s own two feet.
There was a time the Wichita County Sheriff’s Office had to protect and serve. It put the department in debt with the county. However, Wichita County Judge Woody Gossom, said Electra PD only has four more $50,000 payments over the next two years before they are off the books.
Chief Dozier said a lot has been done since he joined the team in 2014. The Electra Police Department is not yet where they want to be, but considering where they were, there is much to be proud of.
“When Chief Hopkins gave me the opportunity to come over here in April 2014, the infrastructure of the police department was in disarray,” Dozier said. “We found it not in compliance with the evidence room. The cars and equipment were outdated. We started getting things turned around.”
Chief Dozier said the department used to respond to four to five burglaries a week.
Now they respond to one every six weeks on average. In 2015, the department filed 89 cases with the District Attorney’s Office. That number is at 74 so far in 2016.
Chief Dozier credits the community.
“We’ve got people that are really supporting us,” Dozier said. “They’re sending in donations to where if our revenue out of our tax base is not there, it’s able to make up for it.”
With that money, the department has gotten their evidence room in compliance, jails up to standards and are planning to equip each officer with body cameras in conjunction with the car cams.
Chief Dozier believes community policing is also a big reason why improvements are being made.
“Community policing is very strong here,” Dozier said. “It is working. Today, one of my officers came into work carrying an ice chest. He was going around and watching people mow their yards, interacting with the public, giving away water and Capri Sun to the children out playing in the yards.”
Steve Bowlin, Electra City Manager, is proud of where the department and the city have come.
“The past is what it is: the past,” Bowlin said. “Everything’s looking really good for the city of Electra right now. The police department is doing an outstanding job. They have got some donations given to them to buy some things that they want.”
Chief Dozier is just grateful to represent the city of Electra.
“I’m very proud I was given this opportunity to take this leading role and how far we’ve come,” Dozier said. “But I could have never done it without the backing of the other seven officers I have working, the five communications officers and animal patrol, but not only that, the city leaders and fire chief.”
Chief Dozier recently finished chief school in Huntsville, Texas.
He said it is possibly the best class in 26 years of law enforcement he has attended. It is also making him look back at their current policies and procedures.
Chief Dozier also said for the first time in a while, there are two officers on patrol in Electra at all times.
– Newschannel 6
