Midlothian Police Department Celebrates Officer’s Texas Challenge Wins
MIDLOTHIAN – The Midlothian Police Department celebrated one of their own earlier this month when officer Chris Vinson returned from the Texas Challenge event in Corpus Christi with two second place wins.
The Texas Challenge is an event that improves the quality of Texas inspectors and their roadside inspections. Vinson is a member of the Midlothian Commercial Vehicle Enforcement team and participated in the Texas Department of Public Safety Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Challenge open to inspectors from any agency across the State of Texas.
He was supported at the competition by Midlothian Sgt. Jordan, Commander Harp and Police Chief Carl Smith.
The event allows for industry partners to interact and see first-hand what to expect on a roadside inspection. Additionally, it builds support for the mission of safety and voluntary compliance.
“Officer Vinson represented MPD well, earning 2nd Place trophies in Level One Inspection as well as Hazardous Materials Inspection,” said Midlothian Police Chief Carl Smith. “He also earned the title of Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) Overall Reserve Champion from the USDOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.”
Officer Chris Vinson
Officer Vinson is a police veteran of 18 years with nine years in Commercial Vehicle Enforcement. He began his career with the City of DeSoto. Vinson joined Midlothian Police Department in 2018 after being recruited to begin the newly authorized Commercial Vehicle Unit. He became a CVE Officer because shortly after being assigned to the DeSoto Traffic Unit and trained to operate a police motorcycle and advanced accident investigator he witnessed the mass devastation an unsafe commercial vehicle could cause in an accident.
“I was assisting another CVE Officer during an inspection where a truck and trailer had seven out of 10 brakes out and realized that CVE can really make a difference for roadway safety,” Vinson said. “Fast forward and I now realize that enforcement coupled with industry partnership has the greatest impact.” Officer Vinson continues to reach out to local industry and trucking companies to build relationships, educate and encourage voluntary compliance.”
Vinson also won the Region 1 competition this past May for the MCAP Division, which includes municipal and county officer Certified by the Department of Public Safety to conduct Commercial Vehicle Inspections.
The event was sponsored by over 70 retailers, corporations and industries that rely on commercial vehicle deliver of goods and commodities throughout the State of Texas and beyond.
“This is truly an example of public and private cooperation to make our roadways safer,” Chief Smith concluded. “Congratulations to Officer Vinson.”
