City of Amarillo selects Thomas Hover as next police chief

The City of Amarillo has announced the selection of Thomas Hover as its next Chief of Police, pending the completion of pre-employment requirements and formal confirmation by the Amarillo City Council.

Hover accepted a conditional offer for the position after being chosen from a field of three finalists. The appointment must be confirmed by the City Council at its next meeting on January 13, 2026, following a background investigation. Council confirmation is required under Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code.

City officials said the selection followed an extensive recruitment process that incorporated public input, feedback from department staff, and evaluations by multiple interview panels. The process was designed to assess each finalist’s leadership ability, professional experience, and alignment with the department’s long-term needs.

“This appointment reflects a careful evaluation of each finalist’s qualifications, leadership style, and fit for our organization,” City Manager Grayson Path said. “Input from the community, department staff, and our interview panels provided valuable perspective and affirmed that Mr. Hover’s leadership approach and experience are well suited to the current and future needs of the Amarillo Police Department.”

Deputy City Manager Andrew Freeman highlighted Hoover's extensive background in patrol and special operations as a key factor in the decision to select him.

"He has a lot of experience with real-time crime centers. He's dealt with a lot of the homeless challenges in Irving. He's also done a lot with just advancing new technology and new initiatives in the department, which is a lot of what we have going on now. But then, as far as his leadership skills, he's a servant leader," Freeman said.

Out of 40 applicants, only three candidates advanced to the final round. Freeman explained that the selection process included evaluations and feedback from multiple stakeholders, including meet-and-greet sessions with APD staff and community members.

One of the other finalists, Jimmy Johnson, served as interim chief after Martin Birkenfeld abruptly retired in February. Freeman expressed gratitude for Johnson’s leadership during this transitional period, stating, "Chief Johnson has been amazing to work with this whole time. And he took over in a tough transition period after Chief Birkenfeld left the department. But he's been a complete professional and great to work with these last 10 months."

Freeman also emphasized Hoover’s humility as a defining quality. "He's there to serve the public and wants to listen to his staff before making any major decision. So just that aspect of him that he's going to listen first," Freeman said.

Following the announcement, Mayor Cole Stanley praised the search firm for delivering outstanding candidates and acknowledged Interim Chief Johnson for his work during the search process.

“The exceptional job that Chief Johnson has done in running the entire department and continuing to make improvements for public safety for the entire city,” Stanley said. “And my hat’s truly off to him. And with sincerity and gratefulness, we appreciate all of his efforts and his work.”

Looking ahead, Stanley said the City of Amarillo is eager to begin a new chapter with Hoover as the permanent chief. He expressed confidence in both Hoover and the department, describing APD as a strong, public-safety-focused organization.

“He’s one of us,” Stanley said. “He’s very much like us and his traditional values. He’s a family man. His priorities match ours. And so, because he’s going to have the support of the public and he’s going to have the support of the department, I think he [is] set up for success. And I believe him to be a data driven decision maker and leader.”

Hover brings more than 25 years of law enforcement experience, all with the Irving Police Department, where he currently oversees field operations and several specialized bureaus. His career includes leadership roles in community policing initiatives, officer wellness programs, and crisis intervention efforts. He has also served as an incident commander during large public events and emergency situations.

In addition to his professional experience, Hover holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Texas State University and a Master of Applied Liberal Arts in Criminal Justice from Tarleton State University. He is a graduate of both the FBI National Academy and the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas Leadership Command College. City officials described his leadership approach as one that blends data-driven policing strategies with community engagement.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to have been selected as the next Police Chief for the City of Amarillo,” Hover said. “I am grateful to the city leadership for their confidence and trust, and I look forward to serving the Amarillo community. I am excited to work alongside the dedicated men and women of the Amarillo Police Department and to build upon the strong foundation that defines this outstanding organization.”

If confirmed, Hover will assume leadership of the Amarillo Police Department at a time when city leaders have emphasized community trust, officer support, and effective public safety strategies as key priorities.