Pflugerville approves longtime officer as city’s next police chief

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) – Pflugerville City Council certified the appointment of a new Police Chief Tuesday. 

Willie Richards was selected from a pool of over 65 applicants to lead the department. He will assume the role in December, with a swearing-in ceremony planned for a later date, the City said in a Tuesday news release. 

This comes after former Pflugerville Police Chief Jason O’Malley retired in June amidst a misconduct investigation.

Richards was most recently Round Rock’s assistant police chief and has over 30 years of law enforcement experience, according to the release. 

“I have been committed to this profession and this region my entire life,” Richards said. “My work is the community that I get the privilege and the honor to serve.”

Richards said his main priorities are shaping how his department engages with the community and shaping short and long-term development plans.

As part of the hiring process, the city hosted a public meet and greet with Richards and other finalists. Stakeholders from the Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce, Pflugerville Independent School District, as well as local business owners and other community members were all invited to provide feedback on each candidate, the release states. 

“Chief Richards’ depth of experience, collaborative leadership style and true desire for the Police Department to reflect the community it serves make him an outstanding fit for Pflugerville,” Pflugerville Mayor Victor Gonzales said.  

Richards said he lives by three values he now wants to instill in Pflugerville Police: humility, service and integrity.