KERRVILLE, TEXAS — The City of Kerrville named Assistant Police Chief Jerel Haley as its new police chief. Haley succeeds Chris McCall, who announced his retirement last month after leading the Kerrville Police Department since 2020.

Haley joined the Kerrville Police Department as assistant police chief in March 2023. During his tenure as assistant chief, he participated in public safety planning and emergency operations for major events, including Fourth of July flooding in the Hill Country.

Haley began his law enforcement career in 1991 with the Santa Cruz Police Department in California. While at Santa Cruz, he served in multiple capacities, including as a field training officer, street crimes detective, narcotics task force agent, and sexual assault detective. He later joined the Santa Maria Police Department, where he worked for more than 11 years and advanced through the ranks of corporal, sergeant, and lieutenant. During his time in Santa Maria, Haley also served as an emergency management training instructor for City of Santa Maria employees.

He was appointed chief of police for the Atascadero Police Department, serving nine years in that role before retiring. Haley returned to Atascadero as interim police chief in October 2022. "Serving the citizens of Kerrville and the men and women of the Kerrville Police Department is an honor," Haley said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to continue the department's work and to build on the foundation of professionalism, service and commitment to public safety that this community expects."

No independent assessment was available for this report.