KEVIN BELLVILLE SWORN IN AS BELLVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S NEW CHIEF

  

A Bellville native is the new leader of the Bellville Police Department.

Kevin Bellville was sworn in earlier this month as police chief after being selected for the position by the city council on October 21^st.  He fills the role formerly held by Jason Smalley, who retired from the department on August 31^st.

A 2002 graduate of Bellville High School, Bellville began his law enforcement career at the Austin County Sheriff’s Office in 2006 before joining the Bellville Police Department in December 2008, where he most recently held the rank of sergeant prior to his promotion to chief.  He attended Prairie View A&M University and completed police academy at the University of Houston – Downtown.

Bellville says he does not believe in “reinventing the wheel” and wants to maintain the formula that has worked for the Bellville Police Department.  He seeks to emphasize recruiting officers who are from the area or familiar with it in order to help with retention, and he also wants to keep community involvement, especially with the youth, as a priority.

Bellville says it feels “surreal” to now be chief of the department and that he is grateful for the consistent support it receives from the city council and the community.  He says whatever questions or concerns arise, he encourages the public to come forward with them.

Bellville was one of three candidates from the police department who were considered for the chief position, the others being Investigator Cliff Burton and Lieutenant Ray Roberson.