How should the Ball State community and local residents view the universitys police department?
Burton: “I guess it comes down to the phrase ‘to serve and protect.’ The community plays a vital role in everything we do as police officers. We can’t do our jobs well unless we know them and they know us. That makes establishing two-way communication vital to our jobs. “We want to be approachable, and we’re going to do our best to be visible and available. We’ve already taken steps in that direction by re-establishing the bike patrol.” How did 23 years as a police officer prepare you to be police chief? Burton: “I have learned a great deal over the years. Most important, I came to understand how to deal with people in a fair and just manner. In day-to-day police work, you also learn about leadership. But, that groundwork was started when I was a child because my father taught me about the importance of leadership. I’ve never forgotten it.” Why has Ball State always been home for you? Burton: “I came to Ball State many years ago with the intention of going to law school. When I realize
