White Settlement selects Arlington deputy police chief as new department leader
Christopher Cook, deputy police chief in Arlington, will be the new chief of police in White Settlement starting April 4, according to a news release from White Settlement police.
Current White Settlement police chief J.P. Bering announced in December his plans to retire from the department.
Cook, who grew up and started his more than two-decade law enforcement career in White Settlement, will lead the agency of more than 50 officers and professional staff, according to the release. He was selected after a nationwide search by the city and received endorsements from several city and police leaders in the region.
“Returning to my hometown in White Settlement, where I grew up and also served as a young police officer, is certainly rewarding and exciting,” Cook said in the release.
Cook said he will bring “incredible energy” to the position and wants to “foster an environment of mutual trust and cooperation.”
Arlington police said in a statement they were thankful to Cook for the 17 years he spent with the department and for his dedications and “numerous contributions” to the agency.
“Many in the North Texas region and beyond recognize him for his talents in the realm of law enforcement communications — and he played an integral role in building Arlington’s reputation as a leader on that front,” Arlington police said in the emailed statement. “We wish him all the best as he transitions into his new role with the White Settlement Police Department.”
Cook is an Air Force veteran and Tarrant County Regional Police Academy graduate. In Arlington, he served as Deputy Police Chief and oversaw 134 police officers and staff with an annual budget of $13.6 million in the technical services division, according to the release.
He held a role in Arlington police executive leadership since 2011. His wife, Zhivonni Cook, is a part of executive leadership with Mansfield police.
Cook has three children, ages 10, 16 and 17 and is in a doctoral program at Tarleton State University, according to the release.
He is expected to be sworn in as the new police chief at 6 p.m. April 4 at the Pecan Grove Convention Center at 405 North Las Vegas Trail in White Settlement.
This story was originally published March 22, 2022 at 3:58 PM.