BEAUMONT, Texas — The Beaumont Police Officers Association is endorsing Assistant Chief Jason Plunkett for the next BPD chief of police.
The BPOA released a statement on Wednesday announcing the association's support of Assistant Chief Plunkett to serve as the next chief of police for Beaumont.
"Assistant Chief Plunkett has dedicated his entire 33 year career with the police department to serving the citizens of Beaumont. During his career, Assistant Chief Plunkett has earned every attainable rank and worked in every division of the department," said President of BPOA Kane Dean in a statement.
Beaumont Police Chief Jimmy Singletary announced his retirement from the department on January 5, after serving in law enforcement for 53 years.
In March 2024 Chief Singletary pledged to stay on the job until his replacement could be found.
A committee made up of community leaders held a private Q & A with each of the four candidates who are competing to become Beaumont's next chief.
Following the Q & A session the finalists boarded a Beaumont Municipal Transit bus and took a tour of the city for several hours.
On Wednesday evening, it was time for a "meet and greet" with eager community members where the candidates shared their plans for Beaumont and the police department.
There was a large turnout of residents and quite a few Beaumont Police officers.
Residents got to hear firsthand why each candidate believes they are the best fit to become Beaumont's next police chief.
"I think I have a good understanding of what our community expects out of our police department," said finalist Jason Plunkett, who is currently assistant chief at the Beaumont Police Department.
Earlier one of what was originally five finalists withdrew his name, days before the final decision was to be made.
Jeff Hadley, who is the Chatham County Police Chief in Savannah, Ga., withdrew citing a "serious issue" with his 18-year-old son that forced him to stay in Georgia.
A second round of interviews are happening on Thursday with City Manager Kenneth Williams, assistant city managers Chris Boone and June Ellis and city attorney Sharae Bassett Reed.
On Friday, city manager Kenneth Williams will make his recommendation to the Beaumont City Council on who to hire.
City Council plans to make it's final vote on Friday afternoon.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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