LITTLE CYPRESS, Texas — A well known face at Little Cypress-Mauriceville Consolidated Independent School District has become their first police chief.
Michael Hennigan was sworn in as the district's police chief on January 8. Before he started as the top cop for the district, he actually worked as a substitute teacher.
Superintendent Stacey Brister says the district believes s he's the perfect person to lead their first new police department.
Chief Hennigan has actually worn three different hats in the district. From guarding the halls as a deputy, to a substitute teacher and now the police chief.
"My heart led me to this position. I've always had a large heart for my community and especially my school district," said Hennigan.
He's now the man to call when there's a problem at LCMCISD.
"First thing in the morning I answer emails, then I try in between time to visits all the campuses," he said.
While he may be the sole member of LCM's newest police department, he's no strangers to staff and students.
"For the years I served with the Constable's Office. I came on campus, I did door checks for. Then for the last six weeks of last year I served as a sub for their Spanish 2 class," Hennigan said.
Friday showed the importance of having a police chief in the district. A gun was found in a student's car at the high school. Superintendent Brister says this incident is a prime example of why more security is needed.
"We know in order for them to learn they have to feel safe," Brister said.
State grants have helped pay for the salaries and training of Chief Hennigan and six armed guards across the district, according to Brister.
"We hired one person with the hopes of hiring another person next year," Brister told 12News.
For now the chief is wasting no time making changes.
"We're going to add more cameras to campuses," Hennigan said. "Camera systems, new software, the police department, hiring officers for all the campuses eventually, and then our guardian program. With those things we feel like that’s added a lot to the safety and security of our campuses,” Hennigan tells 12News.
Most importantly, he wants to continue to share a bond of friendship and respect with students.
"They can come to me anytime they have something they want to discuss. It's very exciting, it's a good place to be right now," he said.
Brister says the district has also contracted an Orange County deputy to guard the high school until they're fully staffed.