AC’s First Police Chief Led Department, Academies
By GARY STALLARD
AC News Service
Angelina College on Tuesday held a ceremony honoring Chief Doug Conn, the college’s very first police chief and the leader of one of the most recognized police academies in the state.
Conn, whose law enforcement career has spanned more than 40 years, helped with the academy’s beginnings back in 1993, when Conn served as a training specialist. In 2017, AC president Dr. Michael Simon named Conn Chief of Police for the inaugural Angelina College Police Department, and from 2018-2021, Conn served as the Regional Police Academy Director. AC’s academy cadets routinely scored at high rates on the TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) exam, and those cadets became valued commodities throughout numerous areas of law enforcement.
From 2021-2025, Conn added the role of Director of the Angelina College Fire Academy.
According to Simon, one of Conn’s greatest accomplishments while at Angelina College was in making a reality the concept of “community policing.”
“He was the first police chief AC has ever had, and he set up the whole enterprise, from the hiring all the way to the training,” Simon said. “He helped us take all of this to another level, and he has, without a doubt, made this a safer campus.
“But I talked to Doug about ‘community policing,’ and in my mind, that meant the chief and his officers would develop relationships with the people who work and attend here. He has been incredibly successful in establishing that very idea. We see students interacting with our officers in a positive manner, and I can’t help but think that’s what any community would want from its police department.”
Simon also pointed out how Conn was always willing to take on extra roles – including that of a disc jockey for numerous AC functions.
“He’s been our unofficial DJ and sound tech for some of our events, and he’s been called upon to do things most police chiefs never have to consider,” Simon laughed. “He’s done everything with a servant’s heart and a sense of good will we’ve all certainly appreciated.”
Finally, Simon lauded the “peace of mind” Conn and his staff provided when it came to overall campus safety.
“Just knowing someone was taking care of our campus and keeping everyone safe was worth every penny spent on having a police department and having [Conn] as its chief,” Simon said.
Kim Capps, AC’s Specialist of Police Department and Public Safety, worked with Conn from his first days as Chief of Police.
“It’s been so awesome and so much fun,” Capps told Conn. “We worked so hard, but we always had fun doing it. I know I speak for all your staff when I tell you, you’re going to be missed terribly.”
Conn will step into a new role with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, and he’ll be working alongside Sheriff Chuck Havard – one of Conn’s Academy cadets in 1994.
“This has been a good ride, and one of many rides in my career,” Conn said to a crowd that included numerous staff members. “I appreciate all of you and how we all had our own special relationships together. There were so many good times, and I thank you for loving me and loving my family.”
Gary Stallard’s email address is gstallard@angelina.edu.
Photo captions:
Chief Doug Conn and Staff:
Doug Conn (center) poses with members of the Angelina College Police Department and Academy staff during Tuesday’s ceremony. Conn, the very first AC police chief, announced his retirement from AC earlier this month. (Gary Stallard/AC News Service photo)
Dr. Michael Simon, Chief Doug Conn and Chris Sullivan:
Doug Conn (center) poses with Angelina College president Dr. Michael Simon (left) and AC Vice President of Business Affairs Chris Sullivan during Tuesday’s ceremony. Conn, the very first AC police chief, announced his retirement from AC earlier this month. (Gary Stallard/AC News Service photo)
Doug Conn:
Doug Conn addresses the crowd during Tuesday’s ceremony at Angelina College. Conn, the very first AC police chief, announced his retirement from AC earlier this month. (Gary Stallard/AC News Service photo)