Henderson officer leads Shadow Ridge matchup against four police departments

Eight former players from Valley High School went on to careers in law enforcement after being coached by Chuck Jackson. That track record informs his current approach at Shadow Ridge High School, where he serves as both the basketball coach and a patrol officer with the Henderson Police Department.

On Friday, November 6, at 5:30 p.m., Jackson will lead the Shadow Ridge Mustangs against a team composed of officers from the Metro Police, Henderson Police, North Las Vegas Police, and the Clark County School District Police. The event is free to the public and aims to place local law enforcement on the same court as the teenagers they serve.

Jackson stated that informal encounters like this game help break down negative perceptions by showing officers as approachable members of the community. He wants to bridge the gap between the badge and the neighborhood by displaying officers as normal human beings who go home to their families.

“I think it’s very important that gap is bridged, to show police officers smiling, to show police officers as normal human beings who go home to their families and their kids, and who play around with the kids in the community,” Jackson said.

For Jackson, the mission is personal. He noted that he was born and raised in Las Vegas and has walked the same streets as the students he now coaches. He believes that serving this community allows him to bridge that gap effectively.

The game is part of a larger display for families. SWAT, K-9, and motorcycle units are expected to attend with equipment and vehicles on display. Officers will be on hand to answer questions, and a drawing for a pair of Golden Knights tickets and other prizes will take place.

Jackson wants his players to feel comfortable talking with these local heroes. He hopes they see themselves taking on the role of a police officer in the next five to 10 years.