Photo: Brandon Bell / Getty Images News / Getty Images
The City of Uvalde announced the appointment of Interim Chief of Police Homer Delgado to serve as the permanent Chief of the Uvalde Police Department, effective April 6. Chief Delgado brings more than 28 years of experience in law enforcement, including more than 20 years in supervisory and leadership roles, to the position, including tenure as Chief of Police for the City of Dilley, Texas.
The City of Uvalde released the following statement on Delgado’s appointment:
“Chief Delgado has repeatedly demonstrated the qualities necessary to lead UPD with integrity, as well as a clear vision for the future of the department. Throughout his nearly three-decade career, which includes a diverse array of experiences protecting Texas communities and spearheading community engagement initiatives, Chief Delgado has demonstrated his passion and dedication for enhancing public safety. We look forward to working closely with Chief Delgado to provide UPD with the support and resources needed to keep the Uvalde community safe.”
The city's news release said, "Chief Delgado was brought onboard from outside the UPD 11 months ago, and in the time since has initiated several process and policy improvements, conducted comprehensive evaluations of current employees, policies, and department practices, and identified numerous areas for improvement and taken proactive steps to address them. After the Robb Elementary tragedy in May 2022, Delgado formed and led “Operation Coyote Overwatch,” bringing together over 500 law enforcement officers from across Texas to support the safety and security of the Uvalde community. Chief Delgado has also received numerous high-level designations through state and federal law enforcement training programs."
Delgado released the following statement after being appointed to serve as Chief of UPD:
“I am deeply humbled and honored to accept the position of Chief of Police for the City of Uvalde. I am committed to fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and integrity within our police department. These values are not merely words on paper but guiding principles that will shape every decision and action we take. We owe it to the community we serve to hold ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct. I want to be clear: the Uvalde Police Department is on the brink of a complete transition. We will challenge every member of our department to rise to a new level of professionalism and accountability. Through rigorous training and mentorship, we will empower our officers to provide the highest quality of service to our community.”