Lieutenants take different approaches to diversified campus needs
by Christina Baiocco and Tamara Collins, Reporter

   The TCC police lieutenants have as varied backgrounds as the jobs they perform on each campus.
   Four lieutenants share the responsibility for the welfare and safety of the TCC District, each assigned a particular campus.
   Terry Moak, NE Campus lieutenant, started working at TCC in summer 1992. After going through the ranks of corporal and sergeant, Moak became a lieutenant in 2001.
   Before joining the district, Moak worked for the Tarrant County Sheriff's Department for two years.
   "I chose this line of work because I like being outside and it seemed like a rewarding career," he said.
   Moak's day generally runs from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., but he can alter his schedule when situations arise.
   Moak is responsible for the NE Campus in Hurst, the largest of the four campuses and the May Owen Center in downtown Fort Worth.
   Moak's responsibilities include traffic and parking enforcement as well as criminal investigations.
   "Basically, I supervise 15 commissioned police officers whose job is to provide a safe environment so that effective learning can take place," he said.
   All TCC police departments are community-oriented so that the staff and students are informed of crime awareness and safety.
   Most of Moak's day is spent inside the office, in meetings or on another campus. Occasionally on Fridays, Moak does more patrolling than office work.
   Married, Moak said his hobbies include church, family, home and computers.
   He studied electronics for two years before deciding to go into law enforcement.
   "My favorite part of this job is working with people and doing whatever is necessary to ensure their overall safety," he said.
   Lt. Lenny Oringderff heads the NW Campus police department.
   A veteran of the group with 14 years of service, Oringderff was promoted to lieutenant in May 1997.
   "I would like everyone to understand that as Texas peace officers, we have full authority to act on any violation of the law," she said.
   Oringderff said if students encounter a situation in which law enforcement assistance is needed, or any situation they believe an officer may be able to assist them with, they should contact the campus police.
   On the South Campus, Lt. Toni Owens heads her team of officers. She has served at TCC since February 1996. Before becoming a police officer, Owens worked as a real estate agent, then joined the Tarrant County Sheriff's Department at the Men's Correctional Facility.
   Owens also served in the criminal warrants unit for Tarrant County.
   "No one is happy to see you when you are on a fugitive task force. TCC is a more positive environment," she said.
   Owens leads an active life when she is not at work. Recently, she won first place in four speed competitions at the annual Horse 'O' Rama Show in Fort Worth. She says she is very active with her horses and shows them as often as she can.
   Owens also spends time with her two children and their 4-H affiliations. In July her son won third place showing his goat at a local show.
   Owens' main focus, however, is on the TCC community,
   "We are accessible to all students and staff. We share the same goal, which is student and staff safety," she said.
   SE Campus' Lt. Grady Patterson has worked for the college for eight years.
   Patterson previously worked for the Benbrook Police Department for almost three years and Crowley Police Department for 13 years. He became a TCC lieutenant in 2001. Patterson said he became interested in police work while working as a civilian jailer for the Fort Worth Police Department.
   As well as leading all his officers, Patterson keeps up with new equipment, budgetary concerns and reports. Patterson is also in the office most of his day, but does patrol at times.
   "The most rewarding thing about my job is helping others and getting a smile from them," he said.
   Besides police work, Patterson has several other areas of interest.
   He is a member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains and has performed several weddings for fellow officers.
   He is also a member of the Society of American Magicians and the International Shrine Clown Association.
   The ISCA performs at schools, hospitals and for anyone who contacts the Masonic Temple with a request.
   Patterson also belongs to the Texas Shrine Clown Association. The TSCA has three competitions a year. At an April event, Patterson placed in the top 10 for whiteface clowns and won third place in the two-man skit category with his partner Magica.
   A shrine clown for six years, Patterson performs at the Will Rogers Coliseum as part of the Shrine Circus in November.
   He also loves to garden, camp and grow roses.
   Patterson has two grown daughters and says if he were not a police officer, he would be a full-time magician and clown.
   However, Patterson also enjoys his police duties.
   "My favorite part is just seeing that my officers are happy and helping students, faculty and staff in whatever they need," he said.