New deputy police chief has big plans for the neighborhood

WACO, Texas (KXXV) – Newly appointed Deputy Police Chief Jared Wallace talks to 25 News about his new position and his plans for Waco’s neighborhoods. He wants to connect the community and police so that communication goes well and everyone feels comfortable telling police when something is wrong.

Wallace has been with the police department since 1991. In his 33-year career, he looks forward to the challenges that come with the position and continues to strive to make Waco a better place for everyone.

BROADCAST SCRIPT:

It’s a new era for the Waco Police Department.

“I had hopes, but I really didn’t expect this,” said Deputy Police Chief Jared Wallace.

Newly appointed Deputy Police Chief Jared Wallace has been on the force since 1991 and said this new title is long overdue.

“I started as a patrol officer on the evening shift and then the night shift, worked patrol as a patrol officer in south and west Waco, then moved to the borough bike unit and from there to the SWAT team. At that time we had a full-time SWAT team until I moved to our borough police unit. From there I was promoted to sergeant in 1999,” said Assistant Chief Wallace.

After 33 years of professional experience, he is ready for what lies ahead.

“It is a planning and development exercise that addresses the current and future challenges that exist here in Waco and puts us in a strong position to effectively serve our community,” said Assistant Chief Wallace.

We serve the community and make our neighbors feel safe when the police are nearby.

“We’re only about 400 people in the Waco Police Department, sworn and civilian, that’s a drop in the bucket compared to our population. We need the cooperation of everyone in Waco, we need to have those relationships, we need to build those relationships so that the population feels comfortable communicating with the police and letting us know what’s happening and who did it,” Wallace said.

There are two main crime trends in the area:

“Juvenile delinquency, particularly violent crime involving juveniles,” Wallace said.

And they are heading towards something new –

“The police response to mental health issues and the challenges we face there. Not just from a police perspective, but from a community perspective,” Wallace said.

His main goal with this new title —

“Creating a culture at the Waco Police Department where we are comfortable with what is happening in our profession and are at the forefront of helping to create that change is something I look forward to,” Wallace said.