After nearly four decades working in the law enforcement field, Houston Police Chief Jim McNiell will turn in his badge for good this fall.
McNiell submitted a letter of resignation last week to the Houston City Council indicating his last day will be Oct. 1. When that day arrives, he’ll have been Houston’s police chief for a little more than five years – he took the position in September 2010 – and will complete 38 years in law enforcement.
McNiell’s career included 29 years in a supervisory capacity.
“I’d like to be remembered as a fair guy and Christian man,” McNiell said, “but also one who always handled his work load and didn’t shirk his responsibilities. That’s something I take pride in.”
McNiell is a graduate of Hillsboro High School in Nashville, Tenn., and earned a bachelor’s degree in physical health, safety and driver’s education from School of the Ozarks (now College of the Ozarks). Before becoming HPD chief, he spent 33 years with the Missouri State Highway Patrol before retiring in May 2010.
His career began in 1977 as a weight inspector on Interstate 55 in Steele.
“I did that as a stepping stone to become a trooper,” McNiell said.
The following year, he achieved his goal of becoming a state trooper and attended the law enforcement academy in Jefferson City, graduating Oct. 20, 1978. McNiell was assigned to the Houston area, and worked in Texas County for about 14 years.
He steadily moved up in rank and was ultimately promoted to lieutenant in July 1992. He transferred to Sikeston, where he worked as commander of a satellite office until his retirement from the agency.
The HPD has seen several changes during McNiell’s tenure. The department’s fleet has increased from four to six cars (so each full-time officer has a vehicle), officers have access to Internet in the vehicles, reports are now recorded digitally, and each officer now has a bullet-proof vest, carries a taser and has a radar unit. Earlier this year, officers began using body-mounted video cameras on a regular basis.
“The city has been good to us about what we get and has given us the best tools with which to do our jobs,” McNiell said, “and we’re very appreciative of that. And the city council, city administrator and mayor have all been excellent to work with and have always been very professional and supportive of me.
“I think I’ve been supportive of them, too. It’s teamwork, with everybody working together to get the job done.”
At the top of McNiell’s list of favorite things about working in law enforcement is being a positive influence on his surroundings.
“I like the idea of maybe being able to make a difference in the community where you live,” he said, “and maybe even helping make it a better place to live. I hope things I’ve done in this department have helped make Houston better.”
McNiell said the job being done by the HPD’s six full-time officers and three reserves is exemplary.
“When you talk about the Houston Police Department, you can’t brag enough about the quality of the officers,” McNiell said. “We could do wonders with one more full-time officer. Having seven would free up the chief to more administrative tasks. Right now the chief –– or the sergeant when he’s covering for the chief –– has to handle routine calls in addition to all the administrative action.
“Let’s just say you stay busy. One more officer would make a huge difference.”
McNiell said he would have one main recommendation for his successor.
“Listen to the employees you have here, because they’re good, solid, experienced police officers,” he said. “The chief coming in will be very fortunate. There’s a tremendous amount experience within this department. The guy with the least has about five years and the other four have at least 10 years. We even have guys with 29 years and 25 years of experience, and these are all officers who don’t have plans of going anywhere. They love serving and living in this community and that’s what they want to continue to do. The next chief is really going to benefit from that.”
McNiell and his wife, Wilda, will be married to 39 years in May and have two children: Jeff McNiell, who lives in Houston with his wife and two children and is editor of the Houston Herald; and Jennifer Byrd, who lives with her husband and two children in Lexington, S.C., and is a teacher.
Following his retirement, McNiell said he plans to remain in Houston for at least a while.
“As a whole, this is a great city and I just love the people here,” he said. “I feel at ease doing things in this community, as well as being the figurehead of this department.”
I’d like to be remembered as a fair guy and Christian man, but also one who always handled his work load and didn’t shirk his responsibilities. That’s something I take pride in.”