My law enforcement career began in 2015 with the Wamego Police Department where I was a Part-Time Police Officer and Records Clerk. I then was hired by the Paola Police Department in 2017 where I served as a Patrol Officer, Patrol Sergeant, and lastly as Detective, amongst numerous internal roles such as: less-than-lethal instructors, ethics instructor, and training officer.
My journey has led me here to La Cygne with aspirations of building a transparent, ethical, and professional department, through community policing and emphasizing outward mindset principles. Establishing these principles and equipping our officers with the proper training, tools, and resources we can all work together to prosper and grow.
You may have noticed an increase in traffic stops or police presence in general. My philosophy in community policing is to not reduce enforcement action but rather to increase it, with efforts to change behavior through education and communication, versus monetary penalties. Changing driving behavior will reduce wrecks, insurance costs, and make our streets safer for all.
I want to extend an open-door invitation for any complaints or concerns you may have, so we can work together to solve them. If you are unable to come in, our Facebook messenger can also be utilized to address these matters.
Lastly, thank you for welcoming me into your community!
Zachary Mathies
Chief of Police
