Both the Cedar Park and Leander emergency management departments underwent major changes in 2012. New fire and police chiefs were named in Cedar Park during the final two months of the year, and in Leander, the police department ushered in a new chief and assistant chief.

James Mallinger became Cedar Park's fire chief Nov. 29 after serving the department for 16 years, including stints as assistant and interim fire chief. He replaced Chris Connealy who resigned in May to become state fire marshal. Mallinger said in the first part of 2013, the department will begin using a new fire engine and attempt to fill personnel vacancies.

"We have to fill the assistant chief position, but also in this budget year we have an undetermined position approved. It is for administrative help," he said. "Currently, we are putting a plan together on how to fill that position, as in what type of position it will be. The plan has to be approved by the city manager and City Council."

Sean Mannix was named Cedar Park Police Chief on Dec. 21 and was confirmed by City Council on Jan. 10. He officially begins work Jan. 22. Mannix served with the Austin Police Department for nearly 20 years, including as assistant chief since 2009. Mannix replaces Henry Fluck, who resigned in February and stepped down at the end of 2012. The first-time chief said he is looking forward to serving the City of Cedar Park.

In Leander, Police Chief Greg Minton was promoted to his new position July 5 after 17 years of service. In September, he appointed Jeffrey Hayes, a former Cedar Park captain, to fill the assistant chief vacancy.

During the first part of 2013, Hayes said the Leander Police Department will compile a comprehensive plan that outlines the department's goals for one, five and 10 years.

"We know we are still going to grow, and we want to do it strategically. We will develop a new strategic plan for the police department, and it's going to look at all the things we need," Hayes said. "That way we have a document our council and citizens can look at and say, 'They know where they're going.'"

Among other changes, the department will soon need to add and diversify positions on its 36-person staff, Hayes said. In the meantime, two existing patrol positions have been reassigned with new duties: one for investigations and another for community service.

"Not that we don't need them on patrol, but the idea is we are taking some of the burden off of patrol officers to utilize them better," Hayes said. "Investigations is critical. If something gets taken, people want to know what we are doing, even if we can't do anything. They want to know it's been reviewed and what they can do next."

In this, the department's 35th year, Minton said he hopes to rebrand LPD and become more accessible as an organization. Badges and some official police vehicles will receive design updates, but Minton said improving the public's perception of the police department from the inside is key to building strong relationships.

"One thing important to me was the coming back to the core values of our department," he said. "We have always had this in our policy, but it has just been words on a piece of paper, and we are going to work really hard on pushing forward with ethics and core values."