ARLINGTON - Will Johnson has been named Arlington's new police chief.
Johnson has served as acting police chief the past 11 months since Theron Bowman, who was the department's chief for more than 12 years, was tapped to become a deputy city manager.Johnson, 40, joined the Arlington Police Department in 1997 and moved up the ranks to become assistant police chief by 2008. In addition to his various leadership roles, Johnson's experience at the department includes work in internal affairs, media relations, crime prevention, patrol, field training and being a bicycle officer."I am extremely humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to serve on the city manager's executive team, to serve our community and to continue working with the men and women of the police department to make Arlington better," Johnson said.Arlington conducted an internal search for the new police chief, City Manager Trey Yelverton said. Assistant Police Chief James Hawthorne, a 28-year veteran, and Assistant Police Chief Jaime Ayala, a 24-year veteran, also applied for the job.Johnson holds a bachelor's degree in history from Texas Tech University and a master of liberal arts degree from Texas Christian University. Before joining the Arlington Police Department, he worked three years as a patrol officer for the city of Carrollton."When I graduated from college and entered into police work, I never once thought this day might come. I had mentors along the way that saw something in me realistically a long time before I might have seen that potential in myself," Johnson said."T. Bowman was one of those leaders. I'm grateful for both his mentorship and his friendship that he has provided me throughout the years and look forward to continuing to work with him on the neighborhood services team," he said.Bowman was officially appointed last October to serve as the deputy city manager overseeing neighborhood services, which includes police, fire, parks and recreation, and code compliance departments and the city's library system.Johnson's salary as police chief is $153,000.Susan Schrock, 817-709-7578Twitter: @susanschrockHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
