UTD Police Chief Larry Zacharias has been awarded the first annual UT System Chief of Police of the Year award, recognizing his contributions and achievements to the university.
The award was shared with Chief Thomas Engells of UT Medical Branch-Galveston and specifically commended Zacharias for his efforts in expanding the use of limited resources and staff and his role as a strong advocate for the police department.
“It caught me off guard,” Zacharias said. “Fourteen differ- ent chiefs from around the (UT) System were there, so for me and Chief Engells to be selected the first year was quite an honor.”
A seasoned police officer, Zacharias’ career began with the Richardson Police Department in 1977 and eventually he rose up in rank to become the chief of police in 2002. Even at a young age, Zacharias felt a career in law enforcement would suit him.
“I kind of compare it to ministry,” he said. “It’s hard to describe what’s specific other than at a young age I was pulled and it seemed like a profession I would be good at. It interested me and I like working with people, so it was like a calling.”
Since transferring to the UTD Police Department as chief of police in 2009, Zacharias said one of the things he is most proud of is changing how students view his officers.
“It’s important that students see us as part of the campus and my goal is to make them understand that our mission is to make this a safe environment for (them) to go to school,” Zacharias said. “Our mission here is not (simply) writing parking or traffic tickets.”
One of the ways in which the department is changing its image is by participating in social activities on campus, such as attending sporting games in order to connect with students.
“I get a lot of invitations from student groups, I get to judge a lot of talent shows and I don’t think that’s the way it was be- fore,” Zacharias said. “When I came (to UTD) the police department had gone through a lot of troubles and personnel changes, but I think the students and the university community now see that our goal is to make this environment safe for them.”
Zacharias also commends the student body and the exceptionally low crime rate at the campus.
“I brag about UTD students all the time,” he said. “I talk to my peers at other campuses and I think we’re fortunate to have the class of students that we do. I wouldn’t want to be any other place right now.”
