Jason Rector has been named Chief of Police for the Commerce Police Department. Rector had been serving as interim chief since the resignation of former Chief of Police Kerry Crews in June 2017.
The hiring marks the end of a lengthy process which reached its final stage in late February, when the city identified four finalists, including Rector. Candidates that were in the running earlier this spring were Conny Clay of Choctaw, Okla.; Scott Heagney of Rockwall; and Scott Peters of Waxahachie. The four finalists, who had been chosen from a field af about 30, met with the public at an open house at City Hall on March 1.
Commerce City Manager Darrek Ferrell made a public announcement of the decision at the regular meeting of the Commerce City Council on May 15.
Rector’s hiring had been pending a favorable conclusion of investigation of an incident in which Rector shot a dog during the course of duty on March 14. The dog later died.
Hunt County District Attorney Noble Walker requested that the Texas Rangers conduct an investigation, as is customary when a municipal police officer’s conduct requires review from outside the department. According to Walker, the Texas Rangers found that there was no evidence that Rector had acted recklessly. The Rangers also exonerated Rector from any criminal misconduct, and after a preliminary review of the incident, the agency chose to not move further with a full investigation.
Rector, a Commerce native, had been a patrol lieutenant for the Commerce Police Department for more than five years. Rector previously served for the Lavon Police Department from 1997 to 2013, and was Chief of Police for his last 10 years in Lavon.