On Monday, January 6, Mendoza was officially sworn in as chief and will begin leading the Frenship ISD Police Department of more than 20 officers and security guards. 

Mendoza joins the Frenship family with a wealth of experience and an impressive career in law enforcement that spans nearly three decades. After retiring from the Lubbock Police Department with more than 24 years of service to the City of Lubbock, Mendoza has spent the last three and a half years serving as a chief of police for a neighboring school district. 

His law enforcement knowledge encompasses a wide range of skills that span from patrol and criminal investigations to public information and administration. During his law enforcement career, he's held multiple leadership positions at LPD including serving as the Family Crimes Unit Commander, Office of Professional Standards Commander, Criminal Investigation Division Commander, and the Deputy Chief of Police for the North Patrol Division. 

"While we are sad to see Chief Bassett retire, we are so grateful to have found such a qualified and dedicated professional like Chief Mendoza," said Frenship ISD Superintendent Dr. Michelle McCord. "He is the perfect fit for Frenship, and I'm excited to see the department continue thriving under his leadership." 

While he is new to Frenship, Mendoza is no stranger to school-based policing. Before serving as a school district police chief for more than three years, he spent many years as a resource officer. 

"My wife is a retired educator and from early on in my career, I worked as a school resource officer. That is when I learned the importance of providing a safe and secure teaching and learning environment for teachers and students," said Mendoza. "I'm looking forward to working with the professional team of officers, meeting the students and staff, and building strong relationships with everyone. I want our Frenship families to know that the safety of our students and staff will be my number one priority." 

Mendoza earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice from Eastern New Mexico University in 1996 and a TCOLE Master Peace Officer certification in 2006. Over the next month, Mendoza will work closely with Chief Bassett who is set to retire in February after 38 years of law enforcement service.