Overview of the program

The Bexar County Constable’s Office Precinct 1 is participating in the Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program. Bexar County Precinct 1 implemented this program in 2010 an effort to help combat "gang activity" and increase "bullying awareness." Senior Sgt. Medina, Sgt. Alvarez, Sgt. Chavez, Cpl. Valdez and Deputy Sanchez are presently the only certified instructors to teach the G.R.E.A.T. Program at Precinct 1. The G.R.E.A.T. Program requires that selected Peace Officers in the United States successfully complete an 80 hour G.R.E.A.T. instructor’s course for each individual officer. All four deputies have successfully completed the requirements needed to instruct the program. In addition, they have over 520 hours of combined crime prevention instructing training, far exceeding the required standard. And, Senior Sergeant G. Medina has several years of previous correctional officer experience with two of those years being spent as a Classification Gang Intelligence Officer. These deputies bring a wealth of knowledge to the program.

The elementary curriculum Bexar County Precinct 1 teaches is delivered to fourth and fifth grade students. The elementary curriculum includes one lesson per week, for six consecutive weeks. The program requires that a certified teacher be present and help supplement classroom activities. A wide range of teaching techniques are used to include, but not limited to; questions and answers, group discussion, role-playing, and workbook exercises. Upon completion of the six week program, a graduation is held for the participating students to show a sense of accomplishment for their hard work.

Any school located in Bexar County Precinct 1 who is interested in obtaining more information about the G.R.E.A.T. Program, may contact Senior Sergeant Gabriel R. Medina at (210) 335-4593 or gmedina@bexar.org .

Meet Your G.R.E.A.T Instructors

Senior Sergeant Gabriel R. Medina

Sergeant Gabriel R. Medina joined the Bexar County Constable’s Office Precinct 1 in May 2005 with five years of previous Correctional Management Experience as a Corrections Officer, Intake Supervisor, and Classification Gang Intelligence Manager. During his time in Corrections, he was selected to be part of an elite team who worked overseas on a special operation as a custody officer at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Since joining Precinct 1, Senior Sergeant Medina has served in several divisions; he has served in the Bike Patrol Unit, A.S.A.P. Unit, Civil Division and Warrant Division. Senior Sergeant Medina is presently assigned as the supervisor of Youth Outreach Programs, Community Relations, Pct.1 Fleet, and Judicial Protection. In addition to these responsibilities, he is a certified G.R.E.A.T. Instructor, G.R.E.A.T. Families Lead-Facilitator, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Instructor, Law Enforcement Against Drugs (L.E.A.D.) Instructor, Field Training Officer (F.T.O), and Crime Free Program Trainer. In 2012, Senior Sergeant Medina was recognized by a U.S. Member of Congress for his efforts in helping guide our community's youth in the right direction. 

Senior Sergeant Medina is a strong believer in the philosophy by an unknown author, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for life." In other words, to understand and benefit from anything, it’s imperative that we participate in it with hands on. Senior Sergeant Medina is truly confident the G.R.E.A.T Program far exceeds this criteria to help guide our youth in the right direction and keep them away from the gang life.

Sergeant Alex Chavez

Sergeant Alex Chavez has been a full-time Deputy for Bexar County Precinct 1 since Oct 2005. Prior to his employment with Bexar County Precinct 1, he was a full-time Police Officer for St Mary’s University Police Department and a Reserve Deputy for Bexar County Precinct 5.

During his years in Law Enforcement, he has worked with delinquents and volatile situations throughout the county. He has an extensive knowledge of the County and the dynamics of the communities involved. He has also been assigned to the following areas; Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Unit, Bike Patrol, Traffic Unit, A.S.A.P Unit, and Civil Division. Presently, Sergeant Chavez is assigned to the Civil Division and the G.R.E.A.T. Unit. He holds a Master Peace Officer Certificate from the State of Texas.

In 2018, Sergeant Chavez was nominated and received the Northside I.S.D. Campus Partner of the Year Award for outstanding service to the students. 

Sergeant Laura Alvarez

Sergeant Laura Alvarez became a full time Deputy Constable in April 2008 and is presently assigned to the Civil Section of the Constable’s Office Precinct 1 where she serves judicial documents from a variety of court systems. Sergeant Alvarez received her G.R.E.A.T. Instructor Training in Austin, Texas in 2016. As part of Sergeant Alvarez’s secondary duties, she teaches the G.R.E.A.T. Program at elementary and middle schools throughout Bexar County Precinct 1. Sergeant Alvarez is also a proud member of the U.S. Air Force with many years of services to her country.

Corporal Edward Valdez

Corporal Edward Valdez joined the Bexar County Constable’s Office Precinct 1 in June 2010 as a reserve deputy and eventually a full-time deputy in 2012. He has three years of previous corrections officer experience as an D.T.O. Additionally, he is a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Corporal Valdez is a well-rounded deputy having formerly been assigned to the civil division and presently assigned as a warrant officer for Precinct 1. Corporal Valdez obtained his G.R.E.A.T. Instructors certificate in Austin, Texas in 2013 and has been teaching the program to the schools in Bexar County Precinct 1.

Deputy Noemi Sanchez-Jauregui

Deputy Noemi Sanchez-Jauregui joined the Bexar County Constable’s Office Precinct 1 in 2021 as a security Monitor with a few years of previous corrections officer experience. In 2022, Deputy Sanchez-Jauregui became a fulltime deputy upon graduating from the San Antonio College Law Enforcement Academy. She is a well-rounded deputy who is assigned to the Civil Division of Precinct 1. Deputy Sanchez-Jauregui obtained her G.R.E.A.T. Instructors Certificate in Houston, Texas at the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Field Division.