SMU officer goes back to school

Driving on the SMU campus, people rarely stop to think about the patrol officers as they pass by. Do they come from a family of police officers? Are they waiting for their big break to be an FBI agent? Or do they have a job in addition to being an SMU police officer?

Although they are perceived as people with nothing better to do than give tickets, they have goals and aspirations just like anyone walking on campus.

Wendy Arthurs is unique in her own way. She is a class of ’97 SMU graduate with a major in history and a minor in political science ethics. She became a dispatcher for the SMU police department her senior year to help pay for her last year’s tuition.

“Wendy is a glowing example of one who has benefited from a strong work ethic and SMU experience,” said Capt. Mike Snellgrove of the SMU PD.

After graduation, Arthurs’ next step in becoming a police officer was to attend the police academy, which takes a minimum of 620 hours to complete. She then became an officer at the age of 26.

Although her parents envisioned the day she would be a lawyer, they supported her decision to pursue a career in law enforcement. In reality, Arthurs is still reaching for that dream. In December, she took the LSAT and hopes to go to SMU law school while continuing to work as an officer. She hopes to work for a district attorney office or in the U.S. District Attorney and prosecute criminal cases.

“When Wendy moves on she will do well with her asperations,” said Chief Aaron Graves of SMU PD.

Arthurs says she enjoys her job and wakes up everyday with a happy face. She anticipates what the day will bring and the calls she will respond to. She dislikes her job when the campus is dead and there is nothing to do.

On her off time Arthurs says she would love nothing more than to sit down with a great fiction novel, preferably a mystery. So far, she has read a total of 312 books. She also enjoys watching hockey, playing golf and hanging around with her friends.

Having been an officer for five years, Arthurs has come to know many students and faculty on campus. Some of her best friendships have evolved through this experience.

“Wendy is an excellent police officer and a good with the students, but uses her authority well when needed,” Graves said.

Arthurs is well-liked by the SMU police force.

Her roommate, Patty Kern, is also an SMU police officer. Kern says she and Arthurs work well together and even hang out with each other on the weekends.

Arthurs’ co-workers say she has a smile that is contagious and an outlook on life that many wish to have. She walks around with her head high and pride when wearing her uniform. With her attitude nothing is going to get in her way.

“Appearance is the first step of establishing authority,” Arthurs said.