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Two on the short list for Paris police chief
By Mary Madewell
Published July 2, 2009
The search for a new police chief has narrowed to two high ranking Paris law enforcement officers — Bob Hundley, interim chief with the Paris Police Department and Ted Gibson, an investigator with Lamar County Sheriff’s Department.
An expected third candidate withdrew late Wednesday because of a misunderstanding in the salary range and benefit package offered in Paris.
City Manager Kevin Carruth was upbeat about the final two chosen by an interview committee comprised of the city manager, Melba Harris, human resources civil service director, and Steve McFadden of Paris, a member of the Texas Municipal Police Association team assisting in the review of 34 applicants and the naming of a top six in early June.
“We had a very strong candidate pool and it has been a bit of a chore narrowing it down,” Carruth said.
“We interviewed those six candidates and asked the three finalists to return for another round of interviews,”
After intensive background checks, Carruth said he expects the final interviews to take place next week followed by a recommendation to Paris City Council shortly thereafter.
Both Hundley and Gibson have strong ties to Paris and long law enforcement careers.
Hundley has served the department 34 years, climbing the ranks after beginning as a rookie patrol officer in 1975 following a short stint at Paris Junior College. He is a graduate of Paris High School.
During the course of his early career he returned to college and received an associates degree in criminal justice. He rose to the rank of lieutenant in the early 1990s and was named assistant police chief in 2004. He was named interim chief early this year upon the retirement of former Chief Karl Louis.
Also a Paris High School graduate, Gibson holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Abilene Christian University and a master’s degree in public administration from North Texas University.
He, too, began his law enforcement career with the Paris Police Department, joining as a rookie in 1971. He moved to Farmers Branch where he served as a patrol officer and returned to Paris as chief deputy under Lamar County sheriffs Roger Peterson and Jim Parker. He then served as a sergeant with the Lewisville Police Department followed by his first police chief job at The Colony.
Gibson again returned to Paris as chief deputy under Lamar County Sheriff B.J. McCoy before being named police chief first in Mount Pleasant and then Nacogdoches.
He returned to Paris in 2000 and served as investigator for the Lamar County District Attorney’s Office under Mark Burtner. Later, he again joined the Lamar County Sheriff’s Department.
Both candidates expressed respect for one another.
“I have a lot of respect and admiration for Ted Gibson,” Hundley said late Wednesday. “Of course, I would like to serve my department as chief.”
Gibson reciprocated.
“Bob (Hundley) and I are friends and we have talked about this,” Gibson said. “No matter how it goes we will be supportive of one another. It is just an honor for me to be considered for this position in my home town after 38 years in law enforcement.”
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