TULSA, Okla. — In the name of humanizing the badge, a Tulsa Police officer doubles as an e-sports coach.
E-sports is a growing extracurricular activity, making its way across Oklahoma. Much like any other sport, there are teams that compete against each other. The differences lie in the games: Fortnite, Smash brothers, and Madden are just a few schools play in tournaments.
As for Will Rogers High School, there's another difference. The students are coached by Sam Rauh, a Tulsa Public Schools teacher, and Colton Martin, a Tulsa Police officer.
Officer Martin is sometimes featured on A&E's Live PD series. He has been with TPD for two years. Martin patrols the city on Thursday through Sunday evenings. On his off-days, he is at the school.
"When you're out patrolling, you gotta be a little more up on your toes because things can take a turn in a second's notice. Here, everybody is relaxed, having a good time."
The e-sports program gives team members the time to interact socially, and it is a safe place to wait for parents to get home. For Martin, it is an opportunity to "humanize the badge."
"Especially when younger kids sometimes see a police officer, they think, 'Oh, I'm going to jail,' or they might think, 'I'm going to get in trouble.' I'm here to show that's just not true."
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
