Public Meeting Set on Electing vs Appointing San Angelo Police Chief

SanAngeloLIVE.com
BY MATT TRAMMELL
OCT 28, 2022

SAN ANGELO – The City of San Angelo Charter Review Committee is needing your help. The group is looking for potential options to place on the May 2023 ballot regarding the police chief position in San Angelo.

Currently San Angelo is the only city in the State of Texas that elects a police chief. In all other cities, the Police Chief is hired or appointed much like a school superintendent or a fire chief.  

The contentious issue has been placed on the ballot a number of times and each time it has failed. 

So far the Charter Review Committee has come up with a plan to give voters options to chose from. The following are those options:

1. No changes, leave it as an elected position.
2. Remain elected position, add minimum qualifications. Currently the only requirements are to be 18 years of age and have resided in San Angelo for two years.
3. Change from elected to appointed (by the city manager) but define a process for the city manager to follow in making his selection for appointment.

The committee has set up a town hall meeting to help get public opinion. That meeting will be held 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14 in East Reception Room at City Hall, 72 W. College Ave.

Should San Angelo Hire or Elect Its Police Chief? Comment Your Thoughts Below!