Highland Village officers cite community support and training as reasons for joining department

Detective Chad Bartnick and Corporal Ronl of the Highland Village Police Department introduced themselves and said community support and departmental training were key reasons they joined and stayed with the force.

"My main interest in being in public service or in law enforcement was due to my father," Detective Chad Bartnick said, noting his father served "28 years as a Dallas firefighter and was also chief of the Highland Village Fire Department for 15 years." Bartnick said he has worked in law enforcement for 25 years and chose Highland Village because he wanted to work at a department "that had a more personal touch."

Corporal Ronl described his path to policing as rooted in early impressions of officers in Cincinnati and later connections made while working as a personal trainer. "I have been with the Highland Village Police Department for about seven and a half years now," he said, adding that community appreciation makes his work meaningful.

Both officers described a department that combines close community ties with training and equipment on par with larger neighboring agencies. Corporal Ronl said he has "been a patrol officer both days and nights," worked in dispatch and "also have been in the schools as an SRO" when filling in, and that he has recently been promoted to a supervisory/co‑op role.

The officers emphasized the practical benefits of a smaller, community‑oriented department: lower call volumes that allow for proactive enforcement and relationship building, alongside "excellent training," one speaker said. They closed by saying they are proud to serve Highland Village and to continue growing in their roles.

The remarks were delivered as brief personal introductions and statements of professional background and priorities.