Palestine’s Interim Police Chief Changes Posts

PALESTINE – Palestine’s Interim Police Chief, John Herod, has resigned from the post to become the city’s Emergency Management Director. City Manager Mike Alexander said the administration “fully supports Herod’s transition into the role.” In Herod’s place, Lt. R.C. Johnson has been named as the interim police chief while a search begins for a permanent chief. Alexander said during Monday’s City Council meeting the search for a permanent chief will begin immediately.

Herod replaces Scott Parkhurst, who resigned as the city’s Emergency Management Director earlier in May. Through discussions with Herod on the position, Alexander felt Herod would be the right person for the vacant job.

Both Herod and his replacement, Johnson, are veterans of the department. Before his role as interim chief, Johnson was most recently the commander of the Criminal Investigation Division. Before his time at CID, Johnson was also the Lieutenant in charge of the Patrol Division.