Police chief has passion for law

By MARTHA McCLAIN

With an eye toward service, training and progress, Laguna Vista’s top public safety offi­cial hold the credentials need­ed to get the job done

Robert McGinnis is the Town’s police and fire chief, as well as its emergency man­agement coordinator.

He’s also lead instructor at the Lower Rio Grande Val­ley Development Council’s Regional Police Academy and Training Center’s Night Academy, which provides basic peace officer certifica­tion preparing most police cadets who enter as rookies in departments across South Texas.

A native of La Feria, his ca­reer began as a reserve officer in the Village of Laguna Vista, before hiring-on at the nearby communities of South Padre Island and Rancho Viejo. To­day, he oversees a department of seven fulltime certified po­lice officers and four reserve officers in a rapidly-growing community.

In September, he accepted an expansion of duties, when he took-on the fire chief role, leading an unpaid volunteer fire-fighting force of 18.

An advocate of education and training, McGinnis’ im­mediate goal is to break old traditions and grow the de­partment into one with a high percentage of certified fire­fighters.

“It’s a building experience,” McGinnis said. “We are well behind, but we are working on improving it.”

For more on this story, pick up a copy of the Apr. 21 edition of the Port Isabel South Padre Press or check out our E-edition by clicking here.