Abilene announces new chief of police; with details revealed about his ideas for the city

Abilenians can rest at ease, we finally have a new police chief. The City of Abilene and its Police Chief Search Committee have chosen Rondell Seratte as the new Police Chief of the Abilene Police Department.

Previously considered were Daniel Carolla, manager of the Meta Law Enforcement Response Team, Albert Garcia, Chief of Police of the Levelland, Texas Police Department, and James Golden, Captain of the Greensboro, North Carolina Police Department. While all four candidates were highly qualified, the committee found Seratte the clear choice.

City Manager, Robert Hanna, says the selection committee was "impressed with Mr. Seratte’s leadership qualities and integrity, as well as his commitment to teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills.”

Rondell Seratte is the current Assistant Chief of Police of the Lawton, Oklahoma Police Department. He manages over 100 personnel across two divisions. The selection committee said Seratte is "noted for his sharp focus on crime prevention and community policing, among the expertise he is expected to bring to Abilene."

When Abilene Reporter News met Seratte at the recent media briefing, he emphasized his desire to become an interactive chief/leader, to gain the trust of our citizens, as well as to lower the crime rate.

He emphasized that current theft and violent crime rates are too high, and that the city should go from reactive to proactive policing. He noted that we have gotten too far from proactive policing, and he wants to return to it by implementing crime-driven traffic stops for hot spots.

When asked if he believes in police transparency and in the early release of body camera footage, without hesitation, he replied that body camera footage of officers can't be released quickly enough.

For more information on Seratte, see Abilene Reporter News' in-depth interview coverage here Oklahoma officer in running for Abilene police chief (reporternews.com)

Above all, Seratte is "ready for the next step" and will start on February 1, 2024. As the new chief of police, he says he is committed to "earning the trust and respect of the police department and the community."

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene has a new chief of police, with big ideas for the city