Natural crisis management skills made choosing a career in emergency services a no brainer for Kingfisher Police Depart-newest patrolman Chris McDaniel.

“Given one of my skills is to be able to function in time of crisis, I thought law enforcement would be the best use for that,” McDaniel said.

The 2009 Mustang High School graduate served in the Air Force in Buloxi, Miss., before moving to Stillwater, then training and serving as an EMT and firefighter in Kilgore, Texas.

Returning to Oklahoma in 2013, McDaniel served as an EMT in Mustang for several years and then started his law enforcement career with the El Reno Police Department.

He served first as a dispatcher/jailer and then as city marshal, where he was responsible for city code enforcement and administrative duties.

He then served as a patrolman with the Pawnee Police Department before accepting the Kingfisher position.

McDaniel has already completed certification with the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training and will be assigned to his own car on the night shift after completing his orientation period.

“I already love this community,” McDaniel said. “Everyone has been as friendly as can be and I love how it has a small town feel while still having all the amenities of a bigger city.”