Detective Ramona Rosborough

After graduating high school in 1996, I began my college studies at Northeast Texas Community College. This was the beginning of what I consider my non-traditional journey into law enforcement. At the time, NTCC offered a dual credit program that allowed me to obtain a Peace Officer Certification, a Jailer Certification, and an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice. In 1999, soon after graduating, I transferred to the University of North Texas to complete my undergraduate work. The education I had obtained up to that point helped me to quickly gain employment with the Denton County Sheriff’s Department as a Detention Officer.

Looking back, I view my journey as different and special to me because not only was I a full-time mother, I also worked full-time while attending school full-time. In 2001, after much perseverance, I graduated from UNT earning a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. In 2002, I was hired by the University of North Texas Police Department as a Patrol Officer. I spent two years on patrol before being promoted to Detective and reassigned to the Criminal Investigations Division.

As a senior detective, I have received specialized training with sexual assault investigations and crimes against women.

After raising my daughter into her teenage years, I decided to return to school. Just recently in May 2015, I accomplished my goal, and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from UNT. As a full time employee at UNT, I was able to use the staff tuition discount program to achieve my goals.

One of the proudest moments of my career was being recognized as the 2014 Officer of The Year, which is a peer award. What I enjoy most about my career path is being a positive role model for my family, friends, and other women who aspire to join the profession.

Lieutenant Jeremy Polk

I lasted one week as a criminal justice major when I first started college. That’s as long as I was there before I was awarded a four year scholarship to get an education degree and a teaching certificate. Paying my own way through school, I accepted the offer. Two public school teaching jobs, a master’s degree, an “almost-finished” PhD in music education from UNT, and two college faculty jobs later, I was 30 years old and needing a change. I never lost the urge to be a second-generation cop. So, I made the move, and it was a big one.

The UNT Police Department hired me directly from the UNT College of Music. My lifelong friends were not surprised, however, my professional colleagues were in shock. It took some serious explaining, that’s for sure. I’m in my ninth year with the UNT Police Department and have worked as a patrol officer, and a detective. I’ve promoted to Sergeant and worked as a patrol shift supervisor, community relations liaison, and the department’s training coordinator. I currently serve as a patrol lieutenant commanding two patrol shifts. I still get to teach though, contributing to local police academies as well as in-house training with topics such as verbal influence and persuasion, police and pursuit driving, and Spanish for law enforcement.

Each day is brand new and I love being out and using a car as my office. I’ve loved every day and haven’t looked back since making the change.

Corporal Gerald Shepherd

I am proud to have served as a UNT Police officer since 2007. I previously worked at the Denton County Sheriff’s Office as a detention officer and member of the Special Operations Response Team. Prior to that, I taught middle school for one year after graduating with a degree in Sociology from UNT. 

While attending UNT, I was a scholarship athlete and two time Sunbelt Conference Men’s Track and Field Champion. I was able to break, and currently hold, the Indoor Triple Jump record at UNT.

While working as a police officer at UNT, I was also a defensive co-captain with the Minor League Football Team Dallas Defenders, which is part of the NPSFL. Our football team is comprised of police officers and fire fighters from around the DFW area.

I currently serve as a patrol officer and enjoy the opportunity to interact with the students on campus and with the student athletes. I have had the opportunity to travel with the football team and provide security for the head coach and team on away games. Even after I graduated, I’m still traveling with the team.

Corporal Debra Olivarez

My first job in law enforcement was in my hometown of Tulia Texas. I worked as a police dispatcher for the Tulia Police Department for two years. I moved to Denton in early 1989 and worked different jobs including retail, waitressing, and even a barber stylist

I missed working in law enforcement, and when I had the opportunity, jumped at the chance to get back in to dispatching at the UNT Police Department. I started in May 1991. One of my accomplishments as a telecommunicator was receiving a Silent Hero Award for my role in dispatch.

The Chief, at the time, asked me if I ever thought about being a police officer, I chuckled and said no. He asked me to consider it and I accepted. 19 years later, I’m still here! I’ve worked as a patrol officer, field training officer, and a detective. Training new officers was sometimes stressful, but mostly rewarding, as those young officers became vital members of the UNT Police Department. If I had to guess, I have had a small part in training approximately 65-70 new officers in my career, maybe more.

In 2011, I was selected by my peers as Officer of the Year. I have also been awarded a Lifesaving Bar after assisting two other officers and saving a young female who had nearly drowned on campus. I have enjoyed my work here at UNT over the span of 25 years and currently supervise the Communications Division which consists of eight dispatchers. You can say, I have come full circle!

Corporal Kevin Crawford

After graduating high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Army where I served in the Military Police Corps for six years. Upon returning home, I started working for the Transportation Security Administration. After a short time with TSA, I decided that I would like to be a police officer and I enrolled myself into a police academy. While attending the academy, a close military friend of mine attending UNT told me about the police department and what a professional organization it is. As I did my research I found some similarities with the UNT community that I experienced in the military, a self-sustaining community within a community that looks out for one another. 

In 2007, I was hired as a police officer at UNT. My first eight years with the department were spent assigned to the patrol division. I am now assigned as the department’s Community Relations Officer. In this position, I oversee the department’s campus safety training programs, identify ways that the department can work in partnership with the community, and devise solutions for any campus safety concerns.

My fondest memories here are being selected as Officer of the Year by my peers and my promotion to Corporal. One of my most memorable experiences though is when I intervened in a situation that saved a life. On patrol one night, I contacted two students that were caring for an intoxicated friend. While speaking with the students, I learned that they planned to drop her off at her dorm room so she could sleep off the intoxication. When I checked on the friend, she was unconscious and exhibited signs of alcohol poisoning. I called for medical assistance and she spent several days in the hospital. I have little doubt that if I had not intervened, the student would have died alone in her room that night. I later heard from the student, who thanked me for saving her life. That is why I do what I do.