Published: Mon, 03/06/23
Brandal Jackson was considering retiring from law enforcement until he saw a job posting to lead the Willis Police Department.
The 52-year-old native of the Grimes County city of Navasota was hired after former Chief James Nowak announced his retirement late January.
Jackson started his new role on Wednesday. He comes to Willis with 30 years of law enforcement experience, with 14 years serving as police chief.
He said that he was looking for a new place to call home.
"I'm just happy to be here and get a fresh new start, try to do good things for the community and bring the community together," Jackson said.
Jackson also was considering retiring himself after ending his more than 11-year tenure as the Brookshire police chief, until he came across the job opportunity on the Texas Municipal League website.
In addition to being the Brookshire police chief, he also served as the police chief in San Felipe for more than two years. He served more than eight years as an Austin County Sheriff's deputy.
Jackson also served eight years as a correctional officer for the Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
He was hired at the salary of $90,000.
Nowak ended his nearly 20-year tenure as Willis police chief on Jan. 31, leaving behind a reduced crime rate of more than 58 percent since he began his tenure in 2005, according to documents he provided to city officials in January.
Willis Mayor Leonard Reed said in a previous article that Nowak was instrumental in providing services as the city saw growth during his tenure.
Willis City manager Sheyi Ipaye said there were a dozen candidates who applied to the police chief position, however Jackson was the more qualified person.
"Chief Jackson will do well in Willis," Ipaye said via email.
michael.d.garcia@houstonchronicle.comConroeNews