Corinth Police Department Turns to Former College Athletes to Fill Officer Gaps

Corinth Police Department in Denton County is turning to former college athletes to fill officer vacancies, a move that could reshape recruitment for small agencies.

Nationwide police agencies still feel the impact of staffing shortfalls that began in 2020, a trend the Corinth PD acknowledges as a challenge.

The department has highlighted athlete‑turned‑officers on its Facebook page as part of an outreach effort aimed at attracting high‑quality candidates.

Officer Dallas Schoen said, “There’s no better career more suited to their talents and their skill sets than being a law enforcement officer. They were coachable, they were able to go out and perform well so that’s what we’re looking for when they come to our agency. They’re able to perform under pressure, they’re able to be coachable, learn as they go, adapt, be committed to a cause.”

Schoen emphasizes that discipline, adaptability, and a team‑oriented mindset—qualities honed on college sports fields—align well with law‑enforcement demands.

To stay competitive, Corinth PD has relaxed policies on tattoos and facial hair, a move Schoen notes is harder for smaller agencies that lack the budgets of larger departments.

Among the department’s 40 sworn officers, four have played college sports, giving the agency a diverse roster that blends athletic experience with policing duties.

Patrol Officer Lucas Mullinax, who played baseball as a catcher at California State University San Bernardino and Victor Valley College, said his experience controlling the field prepared him for policing. “Playing baseball, I was a catcher. I was always taking control of the field and being that leader,” Mullinax said. He originally intended to become a teacher, but his teammate cops convinced him to pursue law enforcement. Mullinax noted that, just as a catcher tracks every player’s position, officers must monitor every team member during a scene.

Patrol Officer Dayton Elsey, a former track athlete from Western Texas College, draws parallels between relay races and police teamwork. “You hand a baton off, right?” Elsey said. “So us on a patrol level: The dispatchers hand it off to us on the call, we do our thing on the streets, and then we pass that on to our investigators, so on toward a successful prosecution.” He added, “Everyone’s here for each other and holds each other accountable.” When asked about his running speed, Elsey laughed, saying, “I’m 35 now, so I’d probably pull a hammy if I take off too fast. I can still get up and go a little bit, go after my kids. That’s what keeps me going.”

Corporal Kip Daily, a former cornerback for Kansas State University, attributes football discipline to his policing skills. “There’s a lot of preparation going into [both], a lot of film study, which we did both in football and law enforcement, watch a lot of film,” Daily said. He confirmed that he’s tackled “a few” suspects during foot chases. Daily remarked that the principles learned on the field—team atmosphere and mutual support—continue to guide his work. “It’s just building that team atmosphere, having each other’s backs and always being there for one another,” he added.

All three officers note that the teamwork cultivated in college sports translates directly to patrol and investigative coordination. Their experiences reinforce the department’s focus on people, policies, and a supportive work environment as key differentiators in recruitment. The department also stresses that trust in policing, eroded by COVID‑19 and social unrest, is gradually rebuilding, according to Schoen.

The Corinth Police Department’s strategy highlights the potential for athletic backgrounds to enrich law‑enforcement teams, especially in smaller agencies facing staffing shortages. By showcasing former athletes, relaxing appearance policies, and emphasizing teamwork, the department hopes to attract candidates who already possess the discipline and adaptability required for policing. This approach may offer a template for other agencies seeking to broaden their recruitment pools while strengthening community ties.