Brandi Hoffman is starting her second month as a School Resource Officer with Dublin PD, but she’s no stranger to the job or the people she serves.
The officer originally moved to Lingleville from Southern California 12 years ago with a friend and she “just stayed.”
Hoffman was drawn to the area at first because of the rodeo but she found she liked the atmosphere and people locally, saying they were not too different than her native town of Acton, California (about an hour north of Los Angeles).
“I want to stay in smaller towns,” she said. “I like that better— knowing everybody.”
Hoffman has been involved with law enforcement since 2016, but it was something she was interested in since her youth.
She grew up around officers since she had family members in the LAPD and LA County Sheriffs Department.
“I’ve always wanted to be [an officer],” she said.
Before going to the academy, she worked at the jail, handling booking and releasing. Hoffman said that position helped teach her about communication, since she had to work with people at their worst (sometimes intoxicated, often angry) and learn how to calm them down.
Her first position was in Hico and it took a different path than she imagined.
“When I got into the SRO thing, I sort of got put into it and ended up liking it,” she said.
She actually helped start the SRO program for the SRO program for Hamilton County and was asked by the Meridian Chief (who she knew) to join their force and start a program there.
Hoffman was glad the position was available in Dublin, stating it’s “way less” of a drive.
Dublin Police Chief Cameron Ray immediately asked if she would be interested in SRO work, and Hoffman stated she would, saying that she really likes to work with kids and animals.
She also said the job has the extra benefit of working with Dublin ISD’s teachers, whom she described as “happy and easy to get along with.”
Her favorite part of the SRO work? “I like the elementary and the little kids; they’re so much happier to see you.”
Hoffman said she also likes getting to patrol in Dublin and working with Dublin PD.
“I know everybody and I like that,” she said, adding that she likes all of her co-workers.