Temple Police Appoint New Deputy Chief of Patrol Bureau

Congratulations are in order for the Temple Police Department's newest deputy chief, along with a number of other offices promoted in recent weeks.

Temple Police Chief Shawn Reynolds has appointed McNeill Fairey to the position of Deputy Chief of the department's Patrol Bureau. The new deputy chief has been with the Temple PD since 2002, and has served as a patrol officer, in the TPD Traffic Department, and with the SWAT team. He's also been a member of the Community Oriented Policing Services (C.O.P.S.) Unit.

Deputy Chief Fairey has been promoted within the department three times before. In 2012 he was promoted to corporal, and in 2017 he was promoted to sergeant and served as a supervisor for Temple PD's Special Investigations Unit. Back in July of 2020, he was promoted to lieutenant.

Chief Reynolds has promoted several more officers in recent weeks, but health and safety protocols have limited ceremonies to individual events with limited family and friends.

These Temple PD officers should also get a shout-our for their promotions:

• Lieutenant Robert Mallett
• Sergeant Joseph Dimento
• Sergeant Amanda Locklear
• Sergeant Keith Mueller
• Sergeant Daniel Vela
• Corporal Jeremy Gooch
• Corporal Jessica Johnson
• Corporal Christine Marrero
• Corporal Bradley Perrin
• Corporal Matthew Wittman

Congratulations to all these officers on their accomplishments and dedication.

Chief Reynolds had some kinds words to share as well.

"Promotion is not about title, rank or position. It's about the action of serving others before yourself," he said. "Each of these officers have demonstrated selfless service, and I am excited to see how they will continue to serve this community."

A special thanks is always in order for all our first responders, especially with a pandemic going on. Our local police, firefighters, and EMT have continued to serve our community during all this, putting themselves at risk to keep us safe.