The Dallas police chief oversees 3,700 sworn and civilian personnel serving a city with over a million citizens, while the Choctaw police chief has a staff of 18 and serves about 10,000 citizens. Both police chiefs have spent the last three decades in law enforcement. The two men also share a positive, upbeat approach based on the fact that they enjoy what they do. A typical day for the Dallas police chief is outlined to demonstrate the emphasis he places on strong partnerships between police officers and citizens, community-based programs, and crime prevention initiatives. In particular, the focus on community- based policing programs and violent crime prevention is discussed. The commitment of the police chief in Choctaw, Oklahoma, to providing support and coordination to all law enforcement agencies and his emphasis on the importance of earned mutual trust between the police chief and police officers are noted. Various crime prevention and community education programs initiated in Choctaw are described, as well as similarities in the philosophies of the Dallas and the Choctaw police chiefs. 2 photographs