Spring ISD May saw significant changes in law enforcement leadership in Harris County Precinct 4. A week after Harris County Commissioners Court named Precinct 4 Constable Ron Hickman the new Harris County sheriff May 12, Commissioners Court appointed Assistant Chief Mark Herman as the precinct’s constable at a special meeting May 19.

“I want to thank Commissioners Court,” Herman said. “I’ll be looking to you for guidance and wisdom the next couple of months. My No. 1 priority is public safety. I’m ready to go to work. Sheriff Hickman has [given me] a lot of tools [for] my toolbox.”

Herman, who praised the court for its diligence in the selection process, said he has worked in Precinct 4 for nearly 30 years under Hickman and the previous constable, Dick Moore.

“Although [Hickman and Moore] had two different styles of management, I will be able to adapt and use both of them to develop my own leadership [style] for the department,” Herman said.

In his first act as the new constable, Herman said he planned to promote Capt. Donald Steward to replace him as the assistant chief in charge of patrol responsibilities. The new constable said he planned to make other promotions within the department.

“We’re going to take it very slow and have a smooth transition,” Herman said. “My plan is to not promote from outside the department unless I deem it necessary.”

Hickman, who has served as Harris County Precinct 4 constable since 2000, was appointed sheriff by Commissioners Court after former Sheriff Adrian Garcia announced his resignation to run for mayor of Houston in November.

“I voted for Ron Hickman with confidence and look forward to his leadership his more than 40 years of experience will bring to a department ready for positive change,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle said.

Hickman will serve as sheriff for the remainder of Garcia’s term, which runs through 2016. Hickman plans to run in the November 2016 election.