BEAUMONT, Texas — Back in January, Beaumont Police Chief Jimmy Singletary announced his retirement. Now that's being delayed.
With less than six days until his retirement, Singletary has decided to stay on until the city hires his replacement. He tells 12News that City Manager Kenneth Williams has given him the green light and agrees that it's a good idea.
Staying on as the top cop will give Beaumont more time to find the right person for the job. Singletary is hoping the city will hire someone from within his department.
"Chief Coffin who was the chief before me stayed around until I got the job and it worked out really well," he said.
What should have been his last week before retirement has turned into at least three more months on the job.
"I thought about it all along and I got a chance to talk to Mr. Williams who has been very supportive," Singletary said.
Last month Williams laid out a plan to find a new police chief.
"We are going to work with a professional recruiting firm," said Williams.
"We can't prevent the violent criminals or the drug dealers that are arguing with each other from shooting each other. We're doing a hell of a job at controlling the things we can control. They know things that have worked, things that hasn't worked, and to me it makes better sense to hire within," said Singletary.
The new plan is to have someone hired by June 30, 2024, according to Williams.
"Police chief is one of the most important positions in the city," he said.
Williams says they are accepting applications from both within the department and outside candidates.
Singletary says whether the city hires someone from within the department or from another city his officers will stand behind the new chief.