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Humble City Council members approved the appointment of Kris Battenfield to serve as the city’s police chief.
The details
Council members approved the appointment during the council’s June 25 meeting.
Battenfield, who previously served as a captain for the Humble Police Department, has been serving as the city’s interim police chief since February. Following the meeting, he said he was excited to take on his new role.
“It means the world,” Battenfield said. “I look forward to working with our guys and becoming the No. 1 agency in this area.”
Some context
Battenfield was named interim police chief in February following the resignation of former Police Chief Daniel Zientek.
In December, Zientek was placed on administrative leave pending a third-party investigation into HPD’s management and operations, as previously reported by Community Impact.
Following Zientek's resignation, City Manager Jason Stuebe said the city would not be sharing the results of the investigation due to attorney-client privilege.
What they’re saying
Battenfield said he was looking forward to giving the department a fresh start.
“Our department has been through a lot,” Battenfield said. “We have gotten things back on the rails, and there's nothing but positive things in the future for HPD.”
Stuebe said the appointment was one of the most critical decisions he’s had to make in his time with the city.
“Over the past seven months, Kris has proven to not only myself but to the department that he is capable, possesses the right temperament, and is the best choice to leave the department,” Stuebe said.
Mayor Norman Funderburk echoed Stuebe’s sentiment.
“I am proud to say he's one of our own—20 years with HPD,” Funderburk said. “He knows our streets. He knows our city. I have complete confidence that he'll be an outstanding police chief for the city of Humble for years to come.”
