Clear Lake Shores has hired a new police chief after former Chief Kenny Cook, who had served the city for 26 years, according to a Facebook post from the city.

Clear Lake Shores City Council appointed interim Chief Tracy "TK" Keele to the permanent position Feb. 18.

The city received 26 applications for the job. City Administrator Brent Spier reviewed the applications and narrowed the pool to six candidates; that field was later narrowed to three finalists, per the post.

Keele has 31 years of experience in law enforcement. He graduated from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Academy in November 1988 and became a licensed Texas Peace Officer. He retired 21 years later from the Dickinson Police Department, the post reads.

Following that, Keele served as patrol commander of the Galveston Sheriff's Office and commander of its tactical response team. Clear Lake Shores Police Department hired him in May, and he was named interim police chief Nov. 22, 2019, according to the post.

Keele's main goal is to provide a safe community for residents, business owners and tourists. He believes community policing, transarency, integrity, recruitment and retention are key factors to a secure city, according to the post.

“After 31 years in law enforcement, I’ve learned that we cannot serve a community if we don’t know the citizens we serve,” Keele said in the post. “Clear Lake Shores is a unique city with great people. Nothing makes me happier than knowing the residents and calling them friends. I cherish the time spent talking to the neighbors, playing soccer with the kids or enjoying an afternoon at Jarboe Park making sure everyone is safe. It is my pledge to you that we will provide the most professional law enforcement services possible and do our part to create a safe environment for all to enjoy.”

Mayor Kurt Otten said he is also looking forward to Keele's work in this role in Clear Lake Shores.

“We look forward to working with Chief Keele,” Otten said in the post. “His wealth of experience, along with his outgoing and friendly personality, will bring plenty of positive changes to the Clear Lake Shores Police Department. I am confident that [the department] will be successful under his leadership.”