Item 4P - MemoITEM 4P
ICITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
MEMORANDUM
June 11, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Alison D. Ortowski, City Manager
SUBJECT: City Council confirmation of the City Manager's appointment of Interim
Police Chief Ashleigh Casey as Chief of Police
Action
Requested: City Council confirmation of the City Manager's appointment of Interim
Police Chief Ashleigh Casey as Chief of Police for the City of Southlake.
Background
Information: Chapter 4 of the Southlake Charter requires that "The head of each
department shall be a chief, director, or superintendent who shall be
appointed by the City Manager subject to the approval of the Council and
such chief, director or superintendent shall have supervisory authority and
financial control over his/her department."
Following an applicant selection and evaluation process, I have selected
Interim Police Chief Ashleigh Casey to fill the vacant Police Chief position.
Chief Casey brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of
excellence that make her exceptionally well -suited for this role. We are
fortunate that Chief Casey has chosen Southlake for her career, and I feel
confident that her experience, considerable skills, and the respect she has
cultivated amongst our team, the Police Department, and community are
perfectly aligned to lead the Department to new heights and through any
future challenges.
Here are highlights of her qualifications:
Experience: With 27 years of progressively responsible law
enforcement experience, including 23 years with the Southlake Police
Department, Chief Casey has a depth of knowledge and expertise. She
has served as Assistant Chief since 2015, where her strategic vision
and leadership have been instrumental in guiding our department
towards continuous improvement and success. She has also
functioned as Interim Police Chief on numerous occasions,
successfully leading the department through both day-to-day
challenges and operational needs but also through a variety of crisis
situations. During her time with the Southlake Police Department, she
has had experience with and oversight of every aspect of the Southlake
Police Department operations.
City Council Meeting Date: June 18, 2024
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ITEM 4P
• Educational and Professional Credentials: Chief Casey's
educational and training background includes:
o M.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice
o B.A.A.S. in Criminal Justice.
o Master Peace Officer Certification
o Graduate - Police Executive Research Forum's Senior
Management Institute for Police
o Graduate - FBI National Academy, and the School of Executive
Leadership at the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration.
These credentials not only underscore Chief Casey's commitment to
professional growth and excellence but also emphasize her strong
technical, professional competence.
Commitment to Performance Excellence and Accreditation: Under
Chief Casey's oversight, the Southlake Police Department has
achieved the highest levels of performance excellence. Her leadership
has been crucial in maintaining the Department's status as a premier
law enforcement agency, recognized by the Commission on
Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies with the Gold Standard
accreditation. This recognition reflects Chief Casey's dedication to
upholding the highest standards of law enforcement practices.
Focus on a Stronq Team and a Stronq Communitir Chief Casey has
fostered a culture of strong employee engagement. Her emphasis on
employee well-being and professional development ensures a
motivated and committed workforce. She is a well -respected member
of the Executive Leadership Team, having been recognized by them
four times as the City's Deputy Director of the Year. Additionally, her
ability to build strong community relations has been pivotal in
enhancing public trust and cooperation, particularly through the way our
Department engages with the public through both officer relations and
strategic communication campaigns. Chief Casey has been
instrumental in ensuring an ongoing commitment to continued
enhancements of our school safety programs. Her leadership on these
issues reflects a keen understanding of top safety and security
priorities.
As the Police Chief, Ms. Casey will assume full management responsibility
for the Police Department. She will manage and supervise all activities
related to the administration of the department including managing and
directing the operations of patrol, criminal investigation, professional
standards, traffic functions, school resource officer program and public
safety related community services. The Chief manages the development
and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, and
priorities in alignment with the City's Strategic Management System. The
department consists of 76 full-time equivalent employees and has a Fiscal
Year 2024 General Fund budget of $8,986,228 and a Crime Control &
Prevention District Fund budget of $2,217,238.
City Council Meeting Date: June 18, 2024
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ITEM 4P
Chief Casey's combination of extensive experience, strong educational
background, strategic acumen, commitment to excellence, and focus on
employee and community engagement uniquely position her to lead our
department effectively and with an eye toward the future. Her appointment
will ensure continuity and stability within the department and the
organization's management structure.
Her appointment carries no negative budgetary implications and aligns with
the City's commitment to the highest standards of safety and security. I am
confident that under her leadership, our department will continue to set
benchmarks in law enforcement and community service.
With your ratification, Chief Casey's appointment will be effective on June
19, 2024.
Financial
Considerations: An offer of employment has been extended to Chief Casey in alignment
with the City's established compensation system. There is no negative
budget impact.
Strategic Link: Performance Management and Service Delivery: Attracting, developing
and retaining a talented and motivated workforce for lasting world -class
performance.
Safety & Security: Achieving strong outcomes through continual evaluation
and pursuit of better practices that improve core business operations.
Supporting
Documents: Chief Casey's Resume — Career Highlights
Staff
Recommendation: City Council confirmation of the City Manager's appointment of Interim
Police Chief Ashleigh Casey as Chief of Police for the City of Southlake.
ASHLEIGH CASEY
ITEM 4P
SUMMARY
A seasoned law enforcement professional with 27 years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience, an M.A. in
Criminology and Criminal Justice, and a B.A.A.S. in Criminal Justice. Holds a Master Peace Officer certification and has
completed elite programs, including the FBI National Academy. A strategic leader with comprehensive oversight of all police
department operations, ensured performance and operational excellence, developed and managed an $11.5 million budget, and
achieved the Gold Standard accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Southlake Police Department - Southlake, TX
ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE / INTERIM CHIEF OF POLICE
2015-Present
Served as the Police Department's second in command, leading all operational and investigative personnel, the training unit, and
the Department's shooting range. Strategic leadership of the Southlake Police Department to include the development and
implementation of a strategic vision for the department, associated performance measures, and departmental accountability
initiatives. Provided executive -level support to the Chief of Police and served as the Chief of Police in his absence. Served as
Interim Chief of Police for significant periods of time in 2020, 2021, and currently serving as of April 2024. As Interim Chief,
assumed full executive leadership and management responsibility for all departmental services and activities, including the
development of strategically aligned Department workplans and scorecards to provide effective performance measurements for
successful outcomes.
Southlake Police Department - Southlake, TX 2003-2015
POLICE LIEUTENANT/DIVISIONAL COMMANDER
Responsible for and effectively managed operations within each of the Police Department's divisions, including Patrol, Criminal
Investigations, Professional Standards, and Training, while providing leadership to sworn and civilian department members.
Implemented strategies and processes within each division that reduced crime and opportunities for crime; increased
operational efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity; and strengthened employee engagement. Served as the Department's
primary Public Information Officer and capably conducted a variety of media interviews and press conferences, many of which
involved high -profile criminal cases and major incidents.
Southlake Police Department - Southlake, TX 2000-2003
POLICE OFFICER, PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER (TRI-TRAINED)
Served first as a Police Officer and then as a Public Safety Officer, tri-trained in the capacity of a Police Officer, Firefighter, and
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
DFW Airport Department of Public Safety - DFW Airport, TX
PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER (TRI-TRAINED) — CORPORAL I.
1998-2000
Served as a Public Safety Officer tri-trained in the capacity of a Police Officer, Structural and Aircraft Fire Rescue Firefighter, and
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
Euless Police Department — Euless, TX 1993-1998
POLICE OFFICER, POLICE/FIRE DISPATCHER & 9-1-1 CALL TAKER
Served first as a Police/Fire Dispatcher and 9-1-1 Call Taker and then as a Police Officer.
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, AND AWARDS
• Master of Arts in Criminology & Criminal Justice, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
• Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences in Criminal Justice, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX
• Senior Management Institute for Police, 56t" Session, Police Executive Research Forum, Boston, Ma
• FBI National Academy, Session 242, Quantico, VA
• School of Executive Leadership, 45th Session, Institute for Law Enforcement Administration, Plano, TX
• Master Peace Officer Certification
• City of Southlake Deputy Director of the Year in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021
• Southlake Police Department Officer of the Year, 2003
• UT Arlington Department Faculty Award, Overall Outstanding CRCJ Cohort Graduate Student, 2011