Search Begins To Replace Police Chief

EL PASO, TX — City leaders confirm they’re about to start the process to replace El Paso police chief Richard Wiles. Wiles announced on Saturday that he intended to retire from the police department sometime in November or December of this year.

Some people in City Hall have expressed regret that Wiles plans to leave his position. “I’m personally sorry he’s going to retire as our police chief,” said city manager Joyce Wilson. “He was a really good chief.”

Wiles hasn’t yet said anything definitive about his future plans, but he has entertained leaving the city for at least one other position, that of police chief in Austin. He was one of two finalists for the job that ultimately went to Art Acevedo, formerly the chief of the California Highway Patrol.

Following El Paso County Sheriff Leo Samaniego’s announcement that he would retire rather than seek another term, Wiles indicated he was interested in entering the race to replace him.

However, Wiles may not currently disclose any intention to run for elected office. “He’s prohibited by the city charter to declare he’s a candidate so long as he’s a city employee,” Wilson said.

Wilson said she’s confident the city can find a competent interim leader for the police department while they do a broader search for a permanent replacement. “Wiles has a pretty good command. So the second and third tier of the command is pretty strong,” she said.

She also said she wants Wiles to be involved in the process of appointing an interim chief. “Certainly I’ll want some of his perspective and advice as to who would be best positioned to step in for the short term,” Wilson said.

Regardless of the path Wiles takes, he will still collect more than two-thirds of his current paycheck as his pension, Wilson said. According to her estimate, Wiles may earn up to $107,000 a year in retirement from the police department.

Written for broadcast by Ashlie Hardway

Edited for KVIA.com by Kevin Pytcher