BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont City Councilman Audwin Samuel has asked the city attorney to seek an Attorney General's opinion as to whether councilmembers interfered with the hiring of a new police chief.
On January 5, 2024, former Beaumont Police Chief Jimmy Singletary announced his retirement. City Manager Kenneth Williams began the process of filling the vacancy.
The city hired Affion Public, LLC to conduct a national search for good candidates. A representative from Affion met with city department directors, members of the Beaumont Police Officer’s Association and the council to determine what their ideal candidate would look like.
The hiring process included several screenings to lower the pool of over 50 applicants down to five. After one candidate withdrew, the final four candidates were interviewed by members of the community, members of the executive staff as well as participating in a community meet and greet.
On July 12, Williams recommended Troy Price, a candidate that was not from the area, but the council rejected him.
During discussion, council members expressed their desire to have a local candidate appointed as the new police chief.
On July 30, Samuel asked the city attorney to seek an Attorney General's opinion about whether the council's direction to the Williams to consider internal candidates violated Article V Section 4 of the City Charter.
During that same city council meeting Williams recommended Beaumont Police Captain Tim Ocnaschek to become the city's next police chief. The council unanimously approved of Ocnaschek after a lengthy meeting where over 20 community members shared their public comments.