SOMERVILLE, TX — The City of Somerville is now without a police force after its police chief retired and the remaining officers resigned.
In early June, Mayor Michael Bradford called for the resignation of then Police Chief Craig Wise and City Administrator Danny Segundo after the two attempted to rehire a former officer indicted for murder in Houston.
Since then, Wise retired from his post. The remaining officers at the Somerville Police Department all then resigned.
The city administrator is responsible for filling the newly vacant chief and officer positions. The City has posted all positions on the Texas Municipal League's website.
In addition, just weeks from the first day of school, the school resource officer program is having to be reconstructed.
“We have reorganized the department. Burleson County has actually taken over our SRO program for the school district, Somerville ISD, so that is going to let us reorganize. We are going to do away with one position that will allow us to increase the pay on starting salaries," said Segundo, who remains the city administrator.
So far 10 applicants have submitted an application. The timeline for hiring entirely new police force is September 1st.
In the meantime, the Burleson County Sheriff's Office will assist in the screening process of all police officers.
