After a five month search for a new police chief, the Waco City Manager is recommending a current Assistant Chief to the position.
City Manager Dale Fisseler is recommending Assistant Chief Ryan Holt to be Waco's new Police Chief. The recommendation will go to the City Council on Dec. 20 for ratification.
"I'm humbled and honored in the faith that the city management has placed in me," Holt said. "If the city council approves the appointment on Tuesday, we're going to do the very best job for our citizens and the council and for management."
Previous Police Chief Brent Stroman retired in July after 39 years with the Waco Police Department.
"I have huge respect for Chief Stroman. I mean when you look at just the number of years that he served, he served almost his entire adult life in service to the community. And that is to be celebrated and following in his footsteps is humbling," Holt said.
Ryan Holt began his career with Waco PD, starting as a police officer in 1996. He became Assistant Chief of Police in 2008.
"[My wife and I] came here, first department that hired me and been here ever since," Holt said. "This is home, this is community."
Holt has served different roles at the police department including detective, crisis/hostage negotiator, SWAT supervisor, Special Deputy U.S. Marshal in the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, and Public Information Officer.
Holt said he knows police work is changing, but he's excited to be a part of the change.
"It's imperative that we continue to strengthen the community ties. You know we drive our legitimacy from our relationship with the community," Holt said. "And it's imperative that we continue to do that. We're going to strive to do that every single day of the week."
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