Crossroads Today
Jennifer Flores
March 31, 2023 
Updated Mar 31, 2023

VICTORIA, Texas - The City of Victoria has announced the four finalists for the new police chief. 

City Manager Jesús A. Garza released the following statement

"Working closely with our executive recruitment firm, Mosaic Public Partners, we were able to attract an outstanding pool of candidates," said Garza. "The police chief fills an important and highly visible role in our community, and I am looking forward to hiring a candidate who will protect our community and foster positive relationships with personnel, residents and our community stakeholders."

More on the candidates

Thedrick Andres

Andres has over 30 years of law enforcement experience, serving with the Louisiana State Penitentiary, New Orleans Police Department, Arlington Police Department and Henderson Police Department in every role from patrol officer to chief of police. In 2019, he was titled the chief of police for the Henderson Police Department and served with HPD for five years before retiring from the agency in February 2023. Andres earned a master's degree in criminal justice and a bachelor's degree is psychology. He is also a graduate of the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Development Program, The Senior Management Institute of Policing and the 54th School of Executive Leadership at the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration. Andrews is a member of the Police Executive Research Forum and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. 

Eric Blanchard

Blanchard began his law enforcement career in 2000 after graduating the Del Mar Police Academy at the top of his class. He has worked for the Mathis Police Department, the Portland Police Department and the Sinton Police Department. Th Aransas Pass Police Department hired him as chief of police in 2012. Blanchard is an experienced patrolman, investigator and police administrator. He has earned the following honors: Employee of the Year, Outstanding Citizen of the Community, the Outstanding Public Service Achievement Award, the Key to the City Award for efforts during Hurricane Harvey, the Pillar of the Community Award and the Service Community Commitment Award. Blanchard earned an associate's degree from Del Mar College, a bachelor's degree from Tarleton State University in criminal administration and a master's degree in criminal justice. 

Dr. Jonathan B. Flores

Flores has served as the City of Alton police chief since 2018. He also serves as an assistant city manager for the City of Alton. Flores began his law enforcement career in 2001 as an emergency communications specialist for the City of McAllen. In 2005, he attended the local regional police academy. Following graduation, he started his sworn law enforcement career for the City of San Juan. He has also served with the McAllen ISD Police Department and the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office. In 2017, Flores earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Phoenix. He also earned his Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2018 and his doctorate in education leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University in 2021. Flores has several publications on law enforcement leadership and was recently inducted into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame for Distinguished Service. 

Chuck Young

Young has served as a Victoria Police Department deputy police chief since 2021. He joined the Dallas Police Department in 1980, where he worked his way up to the rank of major before retiring to the private sector in 2019. Young has earned the following honors: Officer of the Year award, the Meritorious Conduct Award for valor, six Police Commendation Awards for exemplary service, five Life Saving Awards, ten Certificates of Merit for job performance, three Community Service Awards and more than 250 additional commendations. He served as the senior security manager for the Dallas Symphony Association before returning to law enforcement in Victoria. Young graduated summa cum laude in 2018 and earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Midwestern State University. He also graduated from the 2014 Caruth Police Institute Executive Leadership Series VII. He holds a Master Peace Officers license and will attend the Senior Management Institute for Police in Boston in July 2023. 

What is next for the finalists?

Next week, the finalists will tour the community and meet with City of Victoria officials and stakeholders. The City plans to announce a finalist for the position in April.

You can learn more about the Victoria Police Department here. 

The City of Victoria provided the above information and statement.