COMMERCE, Texas -- Eddie Pinckard of the Texas A&M University-Commerce Police Department has received his commission as a law enforcement officer.
Pinckard of Paris was presented a framed certificate recognizing his commission from A&M-Commerce President Keith McFarland earlier this month.
The commission required approval by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.
Pinckard is a patrolman who began working for the University Police Department last October. He is an A&M-Commerce senior.
McFarland welcomed the patrolman to the University Police Department. "I am glad to have you on the force. You are in a helping profession and it is gratifying you are a student helping other students and the university community," the president said.
University Police Chief Donna Spinato said she is pleased to have Pinckard on the force and that his being a student is an asset to the department. "Eddie has a great personality and enjoys working with the staff. As a student, he has a connection with the community he serves and this is great for a police officer," Spinato remarked.
"True professionalism stands out in Eddie and this is one of the things I seek in an officer," she added.
Pinckard is majoring in psychology and has a minor in criminal justice. He plans to complete his bachelor's degree this summer and then start working on a master's in psychology.
Asked what he enjoys about the job of patrolman, the former Paris Junior College student said, "I like to interact with students."
To be commissioned a law officer in the State of Texas, an officer has to meet several requirements. University Police Department officers must complete a police academy, meet state standards which include the completion of a psychological evaluation, be in good physical condition, pass an extensive background check and a drug screening test, and go through a detailed interview process with the department.