“I was inspired by law enforcement at a young age,” said Skylar Chasteen, who was sworn in to the Dublin Police Department Friday, May 22. “I thought their job was cool.”
The 29-year-old Blanket native grew up watching cop shows and movies, and knew he wanted to wear a badge someday.
After working at Dairy Queen and Walmart, he put himself through the academy. Chasteen has been in law enforcement for eight years and comes to Dublin from Erath County Sheriff’s Office.
Working in the county and living in Dublin for the last three years (along with his wife Sadie), he’s had several chances to work with the department, and likes the leadership and camaraderie.
Chasteen said the biggest difference in switching departments will be learning the different CAD (computer aided dispatch) system and the size of his patrol area.
“I’ll be driving a lot less,” he said. “The county [patrol area] was about 1100 square miles. This is way more convenient.”
When asked how law enforcement differed from his childhood dreams, Chasteen said, “I didn’t know you could call law enforcement for loose livestock.” Chasteen learned that helping corral cattle was common for officers in an agricultural area.
He was in field training last week, but will work nights patrolling Dublin.
Among his experience, Chasteen is a certified mental health police officer. “I have a passion for that and getting people the help that need it,” he said.
Chasteen said he’s excited to starting working with the Dublin PD and serving the people of Dublin.