The city of Bryan announces an interim police chief.
BPD’s assistant chief for support services Dean Swartzlander will be in charge after Eric Buske’s retirement a week from Friday (June 7).
Swartzlander has started his fifth year as one of three assistant chiefs, as part of a 27 year career with the department.
A city statement says no decision has been made on the process for selecting a permanent successor to Buske, who was Bryan’s chief for 15 years.
Statement from the city of Bryan:
City Manager Kean Register has named Assistant Police Chief Dean Swartzlander as interim chief effective June 8. Assistant Chief Swartzlander has been with the department for 27 years and has been serving as assistant chief overseeing support services since March 2020.
“We are fortunate to have an individual within the department, who has experience, expertise, and is qualified to serve as the interim police chief. In Chief Buske’s absence in the past, Assistant Chief Swartzlander has served as the acting chief with professionalism and has demonstrated strong leadership qualities,” said City Manager Kean Register. “As the next steps to permanently fill the police chief position are considered, I am confident Assistant Chief Swartzlander will serve the community well, while leading and representing the Police Department with honor and integrity.”
A decision has not yet been made on whether or not the candidate search will be internal, statewide, or nationwide. A definitive timeline does not exist at this time.
Original story May 15, 2024:
For the first time in 15 years, the city of Bryan will be searching for a new police chief.
A news release from the city says Eric Buske is retiring, effective June 7, after a 40 year career.
City manager Kean Register says he aims to find a successor who will continue the progress Buske made.
Those accomplishments include adding more than two dozen officers and five other positions, equipping all staff with body worn cameras, and contributing to the creation of a training center and shooting range at Twin Oaks Landfill.
Register has not named an interim chief and has not decided on the process for selecting the new police chief.
News release from the city of Bryan:
After 15 years of dedicated service to the City of Bryan, and 40 total years in law enforcement, Bryan Police Chief Eric Buske has announced his retirement, effective June 7.
Under Chief Buske’s leadership, Part 1 Crime was significantly reduced by over 50% since 2009.
Other accomplishments by Chief Buske include forming the Mental Health Unit to better assist those in crisis, the implementation of weekly COMPSTAT meetings to enhance internal communication and crime tracking, the establishment of a training center/range built in partnership with BVSWMA, and the introduction of Body Worn Cameras for all staff.
He also expanded the department’s capabilities by adding more than two dozen police officers, created a digital evidence technician position, increased the size of the crime lab by two positions, added a supervisor for the Property and Evidence Unit and an investigator to the Criminal Evidence Unit.
Outside of the department, Chief Buske created collaboration efforts and partnerships within the law enforcement community by co-founding the area chiefs’ monthly meetings and the East Central Texas Police Chiefs Association, where he also serves as President.
“The level of crime reduction that has occurred during Chief Buske’s tenure speaks volumes to the type of leader that he is; his accomplishments will have a lasting impact on the Bryan Police Department and the City of Bryan as a whole,” said Bryan City Manager Kean Register. “We aim to find a candidate who will be committed to continuing the progress that Chief Buske has made in enhancing the safety and well-being of our community.”
City Manager Kean Register will soon appoint an interim police chief to ensure continuity in operations and will initiate the selection process to hire a new police chief.
A decision has not yet been made on whether or not the candidate search will be internal, statewide, or nationwide. A definitive timeline does not exist at this time.