Charles A. McClelland Jr. was the police chief of the Houston Police Department (HPD) from 2010 through 2016. Joining the department in May 1977, McClelland worked his way up through the ranks, from rookie to assistant chief in 1998,"McClelland Confirmed As HPD Chief McClelland Confirmed As HPD Chief ." KPRC-TV. Wednesday April 14, 2010. Retrieved on April 26, 2010. before being asked to step in as acting chief. A graduate of the University of ,New Police Chief, New Airport Director for Houston University of , and the FBI National Academy,New HPD Chief Officially Sworn In he oversaw the department's implementation of tasersTwo years after HPD armed itself with the stun guns, questions linger over how and how often the weapon is being used. and a real-time crime analysis program.New HPD Chief McClelland no stranger to obstacles
Education McClelland holds a bachelor's degree in criminology from the University of Houston–Downtown"New Police Chief, New Airport Director for Houston ." KRIV. Wednesday April 14, 2010. Retrieved on April 26, 2010. and a master's degree in sociology from the University of Houston–Clear Lake, and a graduate from the FBI National Academy.
Career McClelland became a patrol officer in May 1977, and worked his way up through assignments with sex crimes units and the homicide division.Pinkerton, James. "New HPD Chief McClelland no stranger to obstacles." Houston Chronicle. April 14, 2010. Retrieved on April 26, 2010.
When racial tensions at the city's Northeast Patrol Division boiled over in 1992, McClelland and Capt. Mike Thaler were brought in to remedy discrimination complaints by black patrolmen."McClelland To Be Next HPD Chief ." KPRC-TV. March 30, 2010. Updated on March 31, 2010. Retrieved on April 26, 2010. As an assistant chief, he has been at the center of some of HPD's most controversial incidents of recent years, one being the approval of the August 2002 raid on a Kmart parking lot where nearly 300 bystanders were arrested during a crackdown on street racing. McClelland later testified he never saw a subsequent memo authorizing the arrests of spectators as well as racers. He also oversaw the department's implementation of tasers and a real-time crime analysis program, which allows for improved overall crime tracking and analysis 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Known as a meticulous investigator, McClelland was brought into one patrol division to quell racial tensions.
Before becoming acting police chief (after the resignation of Chief Harold Hurtt prior to Mayor Bill White leaving office in late 2009 after 3 two year terms under the City of Houston term limit ordinance), McClelland oversaw HPD's investigative operations as an executive assistant chief, which include 1,500 officers, 12 divisions and a $117 million budget.Pinkerton, James and Bradley Olson. "His dream just got bigger." Houston Chronicle. March 31, 2010. Retrieved on April 26, 2010. Mayor Annise Parker confirmed him as chief in early 2010 until his 2016 retirement when Parker's successor (Sylvester Turner) became mayor).
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