New Police Chief Says Improved Facilities Will Be Priority in His Leadership
By Amy Bearden/Mineral Wells Area News
Dean Sullivan was finally able to take off one of the hats he has been wearing after the City hired Mineral Wells native Tim Denison to take over Sullivan’s former job as Chief of Police this week.
Sullivan had been pulling double duty as Chief of Police and City Manager, after taking on the latter role last March when an adequate outside candidate could not be found to fill the vacant position.
On Tuesday, Chief Sullivan passed the MWPD off to Denison and officially retired from law enforcement at the February 9 City Council meeting. Just prior to Denison’s swearing in, Sullivan was showered in gifts from many uniformed officers and detectives praising his leadership. The Mineral Wells Police Officer Association also presented the former Chief with a commemorative plaque.
Shortly after the celebration ended, Sullivan quickly moved to the business of recommending Denison, who comes from the White Settlement Police Department, and brings 23 years of experience to the leadership role. The City Council voted unanimously to hire Denison who was then sworn in by City Clerk Peggy Clifton.
Mineral Wells Area News caught up with Chief Denison just last week to chat about the new job, to ask about any plans he is bringing with him, or what he thinks about coming back to his hometown to lead the department.
Follow along in the YouTube video below as we capture his swearing in and then listen to Chief Denison’s ideas and philosophies about building a positive work place, which he believes starts with adequate facilities for employees. Finding a way to improve them will be a priority for him. He says he is ready to think outside of the box for funding opportunities, as well as creating a culture of healthy work/life balance for employees.
