At the Tuesday morning Brownwood City Council meeting, City Manager Bobby Rountree recommended appointment of Mike Corley as Police Chief for the City of Brownwood which was confirmed by the City Council. Corley is currently the Assistant Police Chief of Richardson, TX.
The process of selecting the new Police Chief began in January 2010 with statewide advertising of the job and its description. There were 49 applications received. The Texas Police Chief Association and a five member Interview Committee were involved in the process. Of the applicants, the top 8 candidates’ resumes were sent to the Interview Committee. The candidates responded to 16 written questions and 20 oral questions, which made the interview process grueling on both the candidates and the committee. Lengthy interviews of the candidates led to the Corley’s recommendation.
Mayor Massey invited Assistant Chief Page, Chief Cowin, and soon to be Chief Corley to address the council if they so desired.
When addressing the Council, Cowin stated, “14 years ago, after I got laid off from the railroad, Joe Robbins was the Chief of Police, and he encouraged me to run for Chief…Thank you for making it more enjoyable. Not every day was enjoyable, but most days were.” Cowin further stated the pride he had in being a part of building the Law Enforcement Center, stating that when it was built, “it was the right time, we had a Chief and a Sheriff that got along” and that he was “proud of that building, it’s the best thing we have done.” Then he wished all the council the best and reminisced about a time when he was able to escort a man out of a council meeting who had, on a dare, brought a 6-pack into the meeting room.
Corley approached the Council and stated that he “doesn’t take this position lightly”, that he is “excited about to be here”. “I feel the excitement now like when I first got my badge at 19…that’s the excitement I bring. Things I have said (in the interview), I want to be held to it.” As to his start date, he smiled and said, “I couldn’t wait another month to get here, I want to get started.” He closed in saying, “Thank you very much, from the bottom of my heart.”
Mayor Massey stated that he has “favored the appointment of a chief for years and is looking forward to Corley’s service.”
Councilman Dave Fair expressed his thanks to the Interview Committee, and stated, “…Looking at things come and go….getting to the point where we, for the first time in Brownwood’s history, appoint a Police Chief, I want to congratulate Chief Corley and move we accept Michal Corley as Police Chief of the City of Brownwood.” To this statement a second was made and unanimous approval was then expressed.
Chief Spivey of Richardson Police Department said of Corley’s new position, “Richardson’s loss is Brownwood’s gain.”
After the council meeting, Corley had a chance to visit with current Chief Virgil Cowin. Corley asked the Chief Cowin if he would be willing to symbolically pass the badge to Corley at the swearing in of Corley on his first day as Chief, May 3, 2010. Cowin smiled and said he would be there.
Detective Fuller, now Interim Chief of Police, when asked what he thought of the selection of Corley as Chief stated, “I am very excited. This is a historical time, he’s got nothing but change and it’s a good thing…he’s got a different dynamic. The police officers don’t know what to expect in a new chief.”
Serving as interim chief Fuller stated that he will “prepare the department for the new chief, maintain the level of work going on and handle anything that happens until he gets here.” When asked by another reporter if he “likes the new guy”, Fuller stated, “Absolutely.” He mentioned that Corley also has a sense of being a community person.
Corley is noted to be a “cop’s cop” and a “workaholic”. When asked what he feels it means when people refer to him as a “cop’s cop”, Corley stated, “…being someone who understands and easily relates to what’s going on in the streets.” Corley also spoke of plans to ride with the officers and get to know them, where his leadership is, before choosing his Assistant Chief. Being a third generation police officer, he spoke of growing up with his dad as the Chief of Police and his grandfather as well, “that’s all I’ve ever known”. With excitement, he said he had asked for his uniform to be issued early so he would be able to wear it at his swearing May 3.
