The Coryell County Police Department has appointed Sgt. Mikelah Ortega to its Community Relations unit, a change that takes effect Nov. 1 and is intended to bolster the department’s engagement with residents and local organizations. Ortega will partner with Lt. Krystal Baker in managing public information, responding to media inquiries and coordinating outreach efforts across the county.

Ortega joined the department in 2015 and was promoted to sergeant in 2018, bringing nearly a decade of local law enforcement experience to the communications role. Her background includes serving as an instructor for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) program, as well as work as a field training officer. Those responsibilities signal a blend of operational experience and training expertise that the department says will improve accessibility and communication with the community.

The Community Relations assignment consolidates public-facing responsibilities under two experienced officers. Managing public information and media inquiries is increasingly important for local agencies navigating both routine community updates and urgent incidents. Outreach work can include coordinating with neighborhood groups, schools, civic organizations and local media to share information about safety programs, crime prevention and department initiatives.

Ortega’s instructional roles with TCOLE and ALERRT reflect participation in statewide training and rapid response curriculum, offering the department a staff member familiar with best practices in officer training and active-shooter response protocols. As a field training officer, she has also been directly involved in mentoring newer deputies, a role that provides insight into operational priorities and the skills newer personnel bring to community interactions.

For Coryell County residents, the reassignment is intended to make the department more accessible and to provide clearer channels for questions and information. Local organizations that rely on timely coordination with law enforcement — including schools, nonprofit groups and neighborhood associations — may find a single point of contact useful when arranging presentations, safety briefings or collaborative programs.

Administratively, the move underscores a broader trend among law enforcement agencies to emphasize transparency and proactive community engagement. By positioning experienced officers in communications and outreach roles, the department seeks to strengthen ties and build trust through regular, organized interaction.

The department advises residents to look for forthcoming information on how to contact the Community Relations team for outreach requests and media matters, and to watch local channels for announcements about public meetings or community events facilitated by the unit.