Jeffrey Clark selected as new Gatesville Police Chief

Jeffrey Clark selected as new Gatesville Police Chief - The Gatesville Messenger

The search for Gatesville Police Department’s next police chief has officially ended with the selection of Jeffrey Clark, a current deputy chief at the Temple Police Department.

Clark has served as deputy chief since 2016 and has spent his entire career in Temple. He has over 31 years of experience in law enforcement, with over 12 in a command-level position. 

The new chief will replace former Police Chief Brad Hunt, who was appointed Gatesville City Manager in September. As city manager, Hunt made the selection along with the help of three review panels made up of local and regional leaders, police department officers, city staff, and civilians.

“I congratulate Mr. Clark for his selection and look forward to his joining our leadership team for the City of Gatesville,” Hunt said. “His qualifications, expertise, and skills will foster a service-oriented and successful atmosphere for the Gatesville Police Department."

Clark currently oversees Temple Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, which includes several units, such as narcotics, crime scene investigators, property and evidence, special operations, among others. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from American Military University, is a Certified Public Manager graduate from Texas State University, and has attended several law enforcement leadership courses, including the FBI National Academy (Session #255).

During a community meet and greet at Gatesville City Hall on Nov. 7, Clark said one of his goals is to lead the Gatesville Police Department through the Texas Police Chief’s Association (TPCA) accreditation process, which he was also a part of at the Temple Police Department. He is also passionate about enhancing community policing efforts.

“That is an area of law enforcement that I'm very passionate about. I was a sergeant in our community policing unit back in the late 90s (and) early 2000s, and that passion just kind of grew through there,” he said. “And so, I would really like to see a lot of enhanced efforts on that, and then really just doing my best to mentor and coach the current employees there to be successful and hopefully be the leaders in the future.”

Clark also worked alongside Hunt at the Temple Police Department.

“He and I worked on multiple projects together, and we really work well together. I know that he really has a lot of compassion about whatever city he works for,” he said. “I just think that it would be an extremely nice opportunity to work under his leadership. And, we work well together and do what we can to make Gatesville a better place.”

Hunt said Clark will officially begin his tenure on or around Dec. 12.

“Chief Clark’s selection represents an exciting opportunity for the police department’s continued professional development and service to our community,” Hunt said. “Please look for Chief Clark at upcoming community events, and he will formally begin his tenure on about December 12, 2024.”