Lopez sworn in as Bellaire’s new police chief

Onesimo Lopez, or “Mo,” as he is commonly known, was formally sworn in as Bellaire’s new chief of police Aug. 2, surrounded by family, friends and colleagues within the Bellaire Police Department.

Lopez officially took the reins of the department ahead of the ceremony Aug. 2 and went straight to work with a department-wide meeting, setting his expectations for how he wants the department to run, Lopez said immediately after his swearing-in ceremony.

Lopez admitted he was nervous ahead of his first official remarks to the public as the city’s new police chief, but still forged ahead.

“It is in our name: public service. That’s who we are,” Lopez said during the ceremony. “I’ll work to carry on the legacy of service started by Chief [Bryon] Holloway, and as we look forward to the future, we do so with clear eyes and to our purpose with service to this community. I’ll work hard to make sure the Bellaire Police Department continues to be the agency that helps keep the city safe, the community safe and make Bellaire shine like the gem it is.”

Lopez takes over for Holloway, who retired at the end of July after working a decades-long career in the Bellaire Police Department that started in 1976 as a police dispatcher, according to the city of Bellaire.

Lopez served with the Bellaire Police Department since January 2019 as its assistant police chief after he was selected through a nationwide search for a candidate who would not only serve in the assistant chief role, but who would transition to the police chief after Holloway’s retirement. Lopez worked previously with the Pearland Police Department for 24 years, holding positions in patrol, criminal investigations and police administration.