Employee Spotlight: Corporal Allen Porter
Community Outreach and Involvement Liaison for the U of A Police Department
Corporal Allen Porter, the community outreach and involvement liaison for the U of A Police Department, has always regarded his role as more than just a job; he sees it as a vocation. With a passion for community outreach and a deep sense of responsibility, Porter has dedicated his career to establishing strong relationships between the campus community and the police department.
A Bridge Between the Campus Community and the Police Department
As the liaison, Porter acts as a bridge between the campus community and the police department, fostering collaboration on various campus safety events and programs. He spearheads a campus safety initiative and is responsible for promoting the SafeZone mobile safety app across campus. This app includes features such as a check-in timer for students walking alone on campus or traveling abroad.
Porter’s commitment to his role goes beyond the local community. He has had the opportunity to travel to the United Kingdom twice as part of his work with SafeZone, where he learned about policing for university campuses around the world. This international perspective has enriched his understanding of community policing and provided him with invaluable insights.
A Calling in Law Enforcement
Similar to many individuals in law enforcement, Porter believes that the job of a police officer chooses you rather than the other way around. However, he emphasizes the importance of carefully considering the decision to become a police officer. The responsibility that comes with the job requires a deep understanding of community relationships, partnerships, and transparent communication.
“If it’s what you’re made of, it’s what you do. And if you find a place where you can do your best work, that’s where you will stay,” says Porter, highlighting the intrinsic motivation and dedication required to excel in law enforcement.
A Journey in the Justice System
Porter’s career in the justice system began in 2000 as a correctional officer in Illinois. In 2009, he transitioned to work as a police officer, and in late 2011, he moved to Northwest Arkansas due to family reasons. After a brief tenure at the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, he joined the U of A Police Department in July 2012.
Porter’s background in competitive Tae Kwon Do led him to become a defense tactics instructor for UAPD. In 2016, he applied for and was selected as the community outreach and involvement liaison, allowing him to combine his passion for protecting rights with his desire to improve community relationships.
A Holistic Approach to Community Policing
While crime prevention is an important aspect of his job, Porter is keen on adopting a more holistic approach to community policing. He recognizes the challenges in the relationship between communities and the police, and he aims to change that narrative. As the liaison for the university, he believes he is in the perfect position to bring the two together.
Porter’s commitment to serving the campus community extends beyond his role as a liaison. He actively participates in campus activities, serving as a staff senator and contributing to the campus council and appeals committee for Transit and Parking. He also collaborates with the student government and facilities management on the campus light tour, ensuring optimal lighting and safe paths for students.
A Personal Connection with Students
Working at the university allows Porter to be the police officer he wants to be. He can investigate and be on patrol, but more importantly, he can mentor and spend time with students. Porter emphasizes the importance of creating a personal connection with students, allowing them to see him as a person rather than just an officer of the law.
Porter’s dedication to continuous learning is evident as he takes advantage of the staff tuition discount to pursue his education degree. Despite initially feeling intimidated by the presence of progressive companies in Northwest Arkansas, Porter realized that he truly fits into the university environment.
About the Employee Spotlight Series
The U of A’s employee spotlight series aims to highlight the faculty and staff members who have a significant impact on campus and the broader community. It showcases why these individuals choose the university as their employer and how they contribute to advancing the institution’s strategic priorities of student success, research excellence, and being an employer of choice.
If you have any recommendations for employees to be featured in the spotlight series, please contact Rachel Gerner, the content strategist for the Division of Finance and Administration, at rgerner@uark.edu.
Keywords:
- Employee Appreciation
- Employee Recognition
- Corporate Culture
- Employee Spotlight
- Employee Engagement
- Employee Success
- Employee Achievements
<< photo by Kate Laine >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.
