While the City of Levelland continues to work on their budget for the upcoming fiscal year, work is also being done to fill the chief of police vacancy at the Levelland Police Department (LPD).
Following the recent retirement of Levelland Police Chief Albert Garcia, the city has been working with a professional search firm to help broaden their reach and hopefully bring in quality applicants.
Levelland City Manager James Fisher says the firm recently visited the city and met with the those in the police department to get a better feel for what the department represents along with the overall city of Levelland.
“They were able to sit down and meet with the officers and staff to hear what they would like to see in their new chief in terms of character or qualities,” said Fisher. “It also allowed the department personnel to have their feelings heard about the department and different things like that because it’s important to have that conversation.”
Fisher added that it is important to have those conversations with the firm as they’re finding the best candidates so when they ask questions to candidates.
The city has been working to put together a recruitment brochure over the past few weeks and will soon start advertising statewide and beyond.
“I think we’re going to have a good opportunity,” said Fisher. “We have a great community, a good department and good people.”
While the opportunity to fill a vacancy with a quality find is great, Fisher also acknowledged there is two sides of bringing in someone new.
“The other thing that comes in with the positions of police chief and any position is the sticker shock,” explained Fisher. That is going to be something we have to work with as well. We are realizing we won’t get a chief for what we were paying Chief Garcia. Some ways it’s unfair to him because that’s just how the market works.”
Fished added that the reality in every organization whether it be city or private, when they lose somebody, it costs more to bring someone. That includes training and the downtime of them ready find ways to bring someone in even in training the downtime of them learning everything.
“It is best to take care of your people and find ways to invest in them so they don’t go,” said Fisher. “Chief Garcia had great opportunity and I don’t hold anything against him for bettering himself and bettering his family. Him moving to South Plains is a great opportunity. I wish him well and nothing but the best.”
Without a chief of police, the LPD has no plans of slowing down. The department is being spearheaded by Interim Chief’s of Police in Captain Tammie McDonald and Captain Mateo Lopez.
“We are not going to lose momentum by any means,” Lopez. “We are going to continue to thrive as an agency. Chief has done a phenomenal job on mentoring us and training us up right, so what Captain McDonald and I going to do is continue to balance our duties as not much has changed other than receiving some additional duties the chief was doing behind the scenes.”
Lopez shared that it is important for the department to continue to maintain its momentum as the biggest thing is the health of the organization until the new chief is appointed.
“In regard to protecting the community, we are going to remain vigilant,” said Lopez. “That is not going to change, and we are going to continue maintaining our duties. Our staff is going to continue to go out there and do what we have been. That is not going to change.”
While a new chief may bring change, Lopez is confident the department will adapt and thrive as it has done so in the past.
“While change can create uncertainty and is a natural response, that is not the vibe I am getting right now from our agency,” said Lopez. “Captain McDonald and I are here. I think that is giving some sense of security for our staff. We are not deviating from our operational strategies and now is not the time to let our foot off the gas pedal.”
As responsibility increases for the captains, Lopez has also emphasized the leadership of the sergeants within the LPD.
“As interim chiefs there is more responsibility on our shoulders, but this when leadership comes into play for all of us,” explained Lopez. “We want to empower our sergeants the same way we were having to step into a new role, assume new responsibilities and learn new things.”
A healthy balance of responsibility and leadership has been discussed within the department as they know eyes will be focused on their next moves while they are absent a chief.
“People are going to be watching us to see if we falter or hold strong,” said Lopez. “I have no doubt we will hold strong. Chief has set the foundation for us to be in this position and stay strong.”