Wichita ? With his 6-foot-9 stature and the visibility he earned as a starter for Wichita State’s basketball team, undercover work is probably out of the question for one of the city’s newest police officers.

But Darrin Williams, who graduated from the police academy earlier this month, doesn’t mind having a high profile. He hopes to become a member of the department’s community policing team, working with residents to prevent crime in the state’s largest city.

“I would love that,” said Williams, who has two degrees from Wichita State and briefly played professional basketball in Argentina. “I want to show some of the kids that there’s a better way … than where they’re going.”

Williams earned high marks from his instructors during his 23 weeks at the academy.

“He’s a fun-loving guy, with a big heart and a great personality,” Lt. Brent Allred said. “Darrin’s got passion and respect for this career, the desire and motivation to do a good job. That’s going to be very important when he gets out on the streets.”

Williams, whose size-15 1/2 police boots had to be special ordered, is not the first former Shockers basketball player to join Wichita’s force. His teammate, Carl Lemon, is a veteran of the department.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business in 2001, Williams played four months in Argentina before returning to Wichita and earning a second bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism.

He then worked at local television station KAKE as a graphics operator, camera operator and video producer before entering the academy in July.

“I’m the guy that if somebody needs something, I’m there for them,” Williams said. “If they need a ride or anything, I’m there.

“A friend told me: ‘You should put that to work. Make it work for you.’

“I’m good at taking care of people.”