As a starting receiver for the Cardinals while he attended Ball State, alumnus Terrell Smith remembers well what it meant to be a college student with a penchant to party.
Now, as a University Police officer, Smith encounters similar situations while on his weekend shifts for the department.
"I think I understand students well because I was a student here once too," Smith, whom many know as 'T,' said. "I know this is a college, and college students party."
After the four years Smith spent at Ball State, the corporal officer did not head directly into law enforcement. Smith said he managed a Rax restaurant and then went on to install security systems for ADT. He said, despite working civilian jobs for a while, he still knew he wanted to be a police officer because the desire began for him when he was a teen-ager.
Throughout high school Smith was inspired by the school's police officers. He said they left a sound impression on him and that's when he knew he wanted to eventually enter law enforcement.
"I saw that those officers were nice, good guys," Smith said. "I wanted to help people and do the same thing."
Smith said he is bashful when it comes to talking about himself, but admits he is also very outgoing. It is this congeniality that has allowed him to be accessible to people.
"I don't want people to think of me as a cop who is out to "get them," but a friendly officer who is willing to help when needed," Smith said. "I make it a point to make myself approachable.
Some officers stand back, but I like to let people know I am available."
Smith said his favorite part of the job is working with people and building long lasting relationships with students. He said he has often been approached by alumni at homecoming who remember him from their college years.
"People will come up to me and say 'Hey T, thanks for busting me back in college, it really made a diference -- come meet my wife and kids.'"
T'S PHILOSOPHY
Smith said although his uniform may be intimidating to some people, his No. 1 priority as a police officer is to preserve peace as well as provide people with protection.
"I want people to feel like they can come talk to me," he said.
To enforce such priorities, Smith said he feels it is important to leave a positive impression on the men and women he encounters.
"Even if I am busting someone, I still want them to know I am helping them," Smith said. "I want the person to understand exactly what they are doing and why I had to stop them."
Smith said officers are allowed to use their own discretion when it comes to giving out violations.
Infractions such as running a yellow light are often subject to a verbal or written warning, but Smith said driving under the influence is an infraction he considers to be cut-and-dried in his book.
"People know they aren't supposed to drink and drive," Smith said of his strict enforcement of DUIs. "It's not like I get a high off busting people or anything, but 10 out of 10 times I will take them to jail."
Smith said his no-tolerance policy is for the benefit of the offender as well as others who share the road.
"I am potentially saving their lives and others," Smith said.
MAN ABOUT TOWN
Smith said he is a firm believer in first chances. House parties normally are not busted unless the neighbors call or people draw attention to themselves.
"I usually give people a first chance," Smith said. "I pull whoever is having the party aside and tell them they should shut it down. I feel like we are pretty leniant."
What does upset Smith and his fellow officers is encountering situations where they find themselves at a party where no one steps forward to accept blame.
"It's like everyone suddenly has amnesia when we ask who's responsible," Smith said. "That's when we take it up a step."
Smith said he feels his ability to relate well with students on campus is a result of his experience attending Ball State.
"I'm seeing things on the other side now, " Smith said. "It makes it easier for me to converse with students."
In order to learn more about the students he confronts on campus, Smith said he spends time in their environments.
"I'll go into residence halls, Irving Gym, and occasionally BW3's," Smith said. "Last Thursday my brother and I went there and students were like, 'Hey, I know you -- you're that policeman.'
It's good for people to see me and realize 'Hey, he's a real person too.'"
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
