Sugar Land Police Chief Eric Robins has announced his plan to retire on June 1 after 33 years of public service, according to a May 3 news release from the city of Sugar Land.
Of those 33 years, Robins has spent 30 years in the Sugar Land Police Department, with four years as police chief, according to the announcement.
"I'd like to thank Eric for his unwavering service to our community," City Manager Michael W. Goodrum said in the announcement. "His selfless commitment to public service has ensured we remain among the safest cities in the nation."
Robins, a native Houstonian, joined the Sugar Land Police Department in 1992 as a patrol officer, and in his time in the department he worked as a detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and assistant chief prior to his promotion to police chief in 2018, according to the announcement. Prior to his time in Sugar Land, Robins served as a correctional officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice from 1989-1991.
In the city’s most recent Citizen Satisfaction Survey, the major categories of city services that had the highest levels of satisfaction, based upon the combined percentage of "very satisfied" and "satisfied" responses among residents who had an opinion, included the overall quality of police service. About 98% of respondents said they felt "very safe" or "safe" when walking in their neighborhood during the day.
"Eric has done an outstanding job in serving our community, and we wish him well in his future endeavors," Goodrum said in the announcement. "Our city is safer than ever before. We have some big shoes to fill."
The city will announce plans in the near future for a comprehensive, nationwide search for Sugar Land's next police chief, according to the announcement. In the interim, Assistant City Manager Doug Brinkley will assume oversight of the police department until a new police chief is selected.
“I entered this industry to be a change agent, and I feel I have achieved that," Robins said in the announcement. "I am hopefully leaving the department with a positive vision for the future. It has been an honor and pleasure to serve this community alongside the men and women of the SLPD. I encourage my colleagues to continue working with commitment and desire to keep the city of Sugar Land the flourishing and safest city in the area."
