Isaac Garza has been hired as Captain at the Sundown Police Department (SPD), now working under Police Chief Jeff Foster.
Garza, a Levelland native, said he worked at the Levelland Police Department (LPD) for five years before switching to the Hockley County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).
After close to 11 years at the HCSO, the position at Sundown opened at a time he felt a change was needed as there would be differences with a new sheriff coming in at the start of January, he said.
“This offer presented itself to be a better opportunity for myself,” Garza said.
The Captain said he had known Sundown’s Foster for quite some time, but got to work with him more when he assumed the Chief position in Sundown.
“Anything around here locally, he’s always extended his offer to help us out in the county if needed,” Garza said. “We became pretty close as far as working with one another more directly.”
As his work with the county was always on the go and didn’t really provide the opportunity to stop in and develop relationships with members of the county, Garza said he is looking forward to the community-oriented policing in Sundown.
Foster, the Chief of Police of Sundown for two years assumed his position after working 37 years in law enforcement on federal, state and local levels.
Foster added that finding an officer for the Captain slot was not too difficult of a process, as Garza had extensive experience, local knowledge of the community and a professional demeanor, making it an easy decision.
“He kinda rose to the top, so to speak,” Foster said. “Like cream to the coffee.”
The police department had two officers before, and he said he found it difficult when it was just him: the department handled hours of overtime last year and the biggest struggle was being available.
“We take our jobs seriously,” Foster said. “We want to help and we want to be available for our citizens.”
The department could go 10 hours without a call only to go home and have an emergency rise while with family, Foster said.
“That’s the hardest part about being in a small town,” Foster said. “The number of hours that you do put in.”
But the Chief said he likes the small-town atmosphere nonetheless, and that the Sundown department is serviceoriented: visiting the community to find out what their issues are, and doing proactive work so that the department is not just reacting to calls for service.
In the past, Foster has been a big proponent of community and educational oriented policing as it allows for getting on top of problem areas to curb and stop crime.
“With that, I think Garza’s on board with that and will be a definite asset,” Foster said.
The Chief said the department is looking to be progressive in Sundown when it comes to policing and protecting the community.
A way that will be done is extending the reserve police department program. The program was a key reason Garza assumed his position. Additionally, the Captain will be in charge of the program moving forward.