City Council Confirms Amarillo’s Next Police Chief

It had been a very long process, but that's what you want when you're selecting the new Chief of Police for Amarillo. It's not a decision you want to rush into, because if you get it wrong, things in the city will take a turn for the worse.

After a nearly year-long search, they landed on Thomas Hover as the next Chief of Police for the city back in mid-December. Just because that's who they chose didn't mean it was a done deal. He had to be confirmed still, and that vote took place on January 13th.

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Welcome, Chief Thomas Hover

The vote passed unanimously with a 5-0 count, and Hover was officially confirmed as the next Chief of Police in Amarillo. With that part out of the way, there is now a tentative starting date as well as a date for him to be sworn in.

His first day on the job is tentatively scheduled for January 22nd, with his formal swearing-in ceremony set to take place at 3 pm on January 28th. Once all of that is done, he will be entrenched as the leader of APD.

What's Next For Interim Chief Jimmy Johnson

Johnson was on hand for the confirmation of Hover and was repeatedly praised for his leadership while the search was ongoing. Johnson was one of the finalists for the job, but ultimately they went with Hover. The council, as well as Hover, thanked Johnson for "holding it together" during the search.

What's next for Johnson? From what it sounds like, Johnson will be staying with the force. Hover addressed Johnson, saying, “Thank you, Chief Johnson, for holding it together and for staying on. I really appreciate that." Sounds like we're going to have a strong police force for years to come.