Security manager hired as Texas police chief www.privateofficer.com
Posted by privateofficernews on November 11, 2009
Randall Aragon, who had stops in South Carolina, North Carolina and Arkansas as police chief, is scheduled to take over the police department next month.
Aragon replaces Richard Price, who resigned in June.
“He has the experience working in communities like ours, and he is also very in tune with La Marque’s issues,” La Marque City Manager Eric Gage said of his pick.
“He knows our issues particularly well for someone from the outside. He has dealt with those issues, some that have mirrored the issues we have in La Marque.”
The “issues” in La Marque include a slipping morale among its ranks, resident complaints of racial bias by officers and a rising rate of burglary and street crimes.
While he has managed the Arkansas operations for the private security firm Guardsmark for two years, Aragon has more than 30 years experience in law enforcement and 22 years as a police chief.
The former Army lieutenant colonel has had six police chief jobs. All but a three-year stint as chief for Trident College in Charleston, S.C., have been as chief of small or medium-sized towns.
Most of his jobs did not last longer than two to three years, though.
“I don’t necessarily see that as a negative,” Gage said. “I see that as improving himself.”
Gage said he did question Aragon about his commitment to the job in La Marque and said the new chief assured him “this is his last job as a chief and that he would retire after he is done here.”
“I’ve been looking for the right fit because I had missing being a chief,” Aragon, 63, said.
Aragon said he believed in community policing “that enhances the quality of life,” and he embraces the broken window community policing concept.
He insisted police officers can have a positive effect on turning a community dominated by blight into a place where people want to live and feel safe.
The city’s new chief also comes with some local connections. Aragon calls Galveston Police Chief Charles Wiley one of his mentors. He said when he was first starting out as a police chief, Wiley — who also held chief posts in South Carolina — offered him advice and assistance.
Council members were mostly supportive of Gage’s choice for chief, although they were selective in their comments and none offered a ringing endorsement of the pick.
“I’m satisfied with the choice,” Councilwoman Connie Trube said. “From what I understand, his qualifications are excellent.
“Coming from out of town (with) new blood, maybe some new ideas, I think will be good for La Marque.”
Mayor Geraldine Sam also was in favor Aragon’s selection.
“I trust Eric in his decision,” Sam said. While she has not yet met the incoming chief, she said she looked forward to meeting with him.
“That was his decision, that was his call and that’s why he is city manager,” Councilwoman Deanie Barrett said of Gage’s pick. “He’s made a good choice in what he has done before with the finance director and everybody else he has put into positions. I don’t have a problem with it.”
Gage said this weekend the choice for chief narrowed to Aragon and La Marque detective Sgt. Dennis Macik after face-to-face interviews with the candidates last Thursday.
The other named finalist for the job was Houston Police Department Lt. Tommy Ellis.
While at first saying he wouldn’t announce his pick until Tuesday, Gage reversed himself late Monday afternoon and made his selection of Aragon public before the night’s council meeting.
The hire, however, was not announced at the city council meeting.
Aragon, who recently became engaged, will make $74,000 annually, plus benefits. Gage said the new chief will start Dec. 7.
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Randall Aragon Profile
• Entered the U.S. Army in 1963 and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel and a commander of military police. Saw combat in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star. Retired from the service in 1987 as a member of the South Carolina Army National Guard.
• Attended the University of Nebraska and received a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1972. Received a master’s degree in management from Webster University in 1987.
• In 1975 joined the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in Columbia, S.C., and rose to lieutenant in the department’s investigation division.
• Chief of police in Elloree, S.C., 1985 through 1987
• Campus police chief for Trident College in Charleston, S.C. from 1987 to 1990
• Chief of police in Selma, N.C., 1990 – 1992
• Chief of police in Whiteville, N.C., 1993 – 1998
• Chief of police in Lumberton, N.C., 1998 – 2001
• Chief of police in Conway, Ark., 2001 – 2007
• Manager in charge Guardsmark’s Arkansas operations. Guardsmark is the fourth largest private security firm in the world.
