Policing with Purpose: Chief Griggs & A District Court Initiative

For Lamar Police Chief Gaston Griggs, the path to law enforcement wasn’t paved by family tradition. Instead, it began with a strong moral foundation at home and the realization that not everyone had the same stability and support he had growing up.

“I struggled with what my purpose in life was as far as work and a career goes,” Griggs recalls. “It was not until I was hired at my local detention center in Johnson County that I had found where I was supposed to be.”

That sense of purpose has carried him through a career built on more than citations and arrests. For Chief Griggs, law enforcement is about people. “One of the main reasons I have a continuous drive for this profession is to be a support for the community,” he said. “If I can help be one of those pillars of trust, that keeps my drive for this profession strong.”

It’s this philosophy that shapes his support for the Smart Justice District Court Initiative, a program designed to address the underlying causes that bring people into the justice system. “This initiative takes it beyond what’s on the surface and looks at the social and economic instabilities that may be causing the issues we see in court,” he explained. “Not only does it help the individual, but it helps their family recognize and resolve these instabilities.”

For Griggs, the initiative represents second chances—chances that can change the trajectory of a person’s life. “I am a firm believer that the individual must want help or change for services to be completely effective,” he said. “But if an individual is not offered such services, the likelihood of them finding it themselves is much less. Even if they don’t take advantage right away, they now know who and where to go to when they are ready.”

The results are tangible. He has seen participants who embrace the program reduce their risk of reoffending, avoid jail time, and find a tailored path forward. On a broader scale, he notes that lowering recidivism rates reduces costs for the community while expanding access to services families may not otherwise have. For law enforcement, the program has also strengthened partnerships with courts, probation, and service providers.

Looking ahead, Chief Griggs sees opportunities for even deeper engagement. He believes officers can play a crucial role by encouraging participants, showing up at community events, and being visible in non-enforcement roles. “An officer can reshape community perceptions by showing that law enforcement is part of the solution—not just through citations and arrests,” he said.

He also suggests broadening the initiative’s reach. “Being available in circuit courts, where individuals have reached a certain point, could also lead to great success,” he explained. “This could include supporting probation and parole with consistent approaches to rehabilitation.”

At the core of his leadership is a simple but powerful belief: everyone has a purpose. For Chief Griggs, that purpose is clear. “I feel mine is to be a constant resource for trust,” he said. “Through Smart Justice and through my work in law enforcement, I want to be someone this community can count on.”