Officer Kent Wilson is the latest addition to the Taylor University Police Department.
Officer Kent Wilson was recently hired by Taylor's Police Department.
Over the summer, Taylor campus police was tasked with finding a new full-time police officer after an officer left an open position. After hearing the testimony and experience level of Wilson, Chief of Police Jeff Wallace said he was compelled to hire him.
Wilson is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and has been working as a detective for the past 15 years for the Marion Police Department. He is 49 years old.
According to his online resume, Wilson was assigned to the property crime division and worked on cases ranging from theft, fraud and forgeries to white and blue collar crimes.
Prior to taking the position at Taylor, Wilson worked with Walden Security at the Federal Courthouse in Fort Wayne for 16 months.
His fast-paced work ethic and relational abilities led to his hiring.
At Taylor, his duties consist of unlocking and locking buildings, traffic enforcement and patrolling campus.
“The biggest deterrent against crime is a police presence which is a huge part of what he does,” Wallace said.
While the experience level of an officer is important in the hiring process, each candidate is also asked a series of faith based questions, including their personal faith journeys and current faith commitments.
Candidates for the Taylor University Police Department also must be Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) certificated, current and updated.
“He has the right mindset and heart to come in here,” Wallace said. “We talked many times during the hiring process about my expectations for students to get to know him and not just the badge. He feels that God called him here. He isn’t here just for a job, but he believes it is where God called him to be.”
Taylor University currently employs 11 police officers. Four of these officers hold full-time positions with up to 40 hours per week. Wilson works a 4 p.m. to midnight shift Sundays-Thursdays.
