Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Farmers Branch Police Chief Sid Fuller loves police work

By Minnie Payne

FARMERS BRANCH — After working 23 years and retiring as Assistant Police Chief with the Irving Police Department, 46-year-old Farmers Branch Police Chief Sid Fuller loves police work so much he accepted his present position on Aug. 21, 2006.

“I truly believe that nobody goes into police work for a paycheck,” said Fuller. “It is far more than a job; policing is a way of life.

“I can honestly say that for 24 years I have looked forward to going to work everyday. The only thing I enjoy more than police work is managing police officers.”

Fuller holds a Master of Arts in Criminology/Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Tarleton State University. He is a graduate of the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration Command College and a graduate of the FBI National Academy. And although time hasn’t permitted him to serve as an adjunct professor of Police Systems and Practices, Legal Aspects of Policing, and Police Organizations for Tarrant County College for the last two semesters, he did so for ten years. He also holds a Master Peace Officer Certificate.

“You like the excitement and the adrenaline rush of being a police officer,” Fuller said. “I started as a patrolman and worked my way up through the ranks.”

He said that he has been in several dangerous situations, one in particular when a mentally deranged man shot through a door at him. Another dangerous incident took place at a shopping mall he was patrolling when he came upon three men attacking an elderly woman at knifepoint, attempting to rob her. He arrested the men.

“Presently, I’m basically the administrator over the police department,” Fuller said. “I set the direction of the department by setting goals and objectives. I also develop policies and am responsible for drafting the budget.

“I also spend a lot of time in the community and at city hall.”

Fuller said that he tries to spend as much time as possible with the 74 sworn policemen he supervises. Open session quarterly meetings are held where the policemen are allowed to ask questions.

“I try to make roll call every chance I get,” he said.

Fuller said he likes dealing with the community and the employees.

“It’s a great group of dedicated police officers and civilians,” he said of his staff.

“The big thing that bothers me about my work is seeing children hurt, either through accidents or crime.”

David Hale, Deputy Chief of Police, works closely with Fuller.

“Chief Fuller has been a welcome change to our police department,” he said. “He has brought fresh ideas to the problem of crime fighting and has the gift of empowering police officers to become problem solvers by partnering with people in our community.

“I was a finalist as an internal candidate for the Chief’s job, and I can honestly say that the citizens of Farmers Branch got a good leader who is in touch with the community.”

Chief Fuller has been married to his wife Shelley for 23 years. Their son, Sidney, 22, is a senior at Stephen F. Austin State University and their daughter, Samantha, 18, will be entering her freshman year at Tarleton State University in the fall.

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