This article was originally published in The Examiner on Oct. 27, 2016.
By Eleanor Skelton
Staff Writer
When new Port Arthur Police Chief Patrick Melvin addressed the Press
Club of Southeast Texas on Oct. 20, he said he wants to “engage the community,” especially young people. He also referred to current tensions involving police, explaining how he hopes to help officers combat stresses and provide resources for dealing with mental health concerns like PTSD.
Speaking at Café del Rio in Beaumont, he talked of his past experiences in Arizona and in Washington, D.C.
Melvin comes to Port Arthur from the Salt River Police Department of the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community, near Scottsdale, Arizona.
“A lot of people ask me, ‘Why Port Arthur?’ I like challenge. I’m the kind of person who likes to go in and get to work,” Melvin said.
Eleanor Skelton 