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Gregory Wright
Gregory Wright
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Gregory Wright

Dallas College Police Department

Mesquite, TX USA

"Don’t focus on what someone else is doing. Focus on what you want to do and it will come in its own time."

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Gregory's work combines: Law, Government, and Helping People

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Day In The Life

Law Enforcement Sergeant

I'm a patrolling police sergeant supervising other officers at a college campus.

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Day In The Life Of A Law Enforcement Sergeant

My Day to Day

I start my morning with a debrief meeting with the other officers. I fill them in on anything significant that happened during the night shift. Then, as a patrolling sergeant, I spend my day patrolling the campus and supervising officers. I also schedule trainings for the officers—each officer needs to complete 40 hours of training each year to keep their license, so I make sure that happens.

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

With the way that the law enforcement field has been progressing, you'll most likely need at least an associate degree in law enforcement or criminal justice. You can reach out to your local police academy to inquire about requirements as I did.

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Certification

    Basic Police Certificate, Criminal Justice/Police Science

    Cedar Valley College

  • Associate's Degree

    Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement

    Rio Salado College

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

I've taken a lot of twists and turns

  • 1.

    I always dreamed of becoming a police officer and would talk about it with my brother but didn’t act on it.

  • 2.

    As the oldest of three kids raised by a single mother, I started my career in grocery retail at 15 years old to help out—I ended up staying for 23 years.

  • 3.

    I thought my chance of becoming a police officer had passed but when my brother was killed in a car accident, it felt urgent that I pursue my dream.

  • 4.

    The day after my brother’s funeral, I went to the police academy to get started in law enforcement.

  • 5.

    I earned my police certificate and started working for the Dallas College Police Department.

  • 6.

    When I decided to fulfill another dream of mine and become the first male in my family to graduate from college, a fellow officer directed me to Rio Salado College.

  • 7.

    I graduated with a degree in criminal justice technology from Rio Salado College.

  • 8.

    I’ve been with the Dallas College Police Department for 14 years now and currently work as the police sergeant.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Friends:

    You can't become a police officer this late in life. You won't be able to finish the physical test. You won't be able to keep up with the schoolwork.

  • How I responded:

    I had friends that doubted my decision to pursue a law enforcement career at 36 years old. They didn't think I could do it. Their doubts fueled me because I wanted to prove them wrong. I wanted to show them that I can do anything I set my mind to. Rio Salado College gave me the opportunity to do that with their law enforcement program. I recommend blocking out the naysayers by disassociating yourself with them. You don't need that negativity in your life.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

Click to expand

  • I dreamed of being a police officer but got a job at a grocery store instead to help my family out. I was the oldest of three kids with a single mom. I stayed at the store for 23 years but fulfilled my dream of being a police officer later in life.

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