The Dayton City Council has appointed longtime officer Shane Burleigh as interim police chief following an executive session at its regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 18.
Burleigh steps into the role vacated by former Chief Derek Woods, who was promoted to city manager earlier this year. Since Woods’ appointment as interim and later permanent city manager, Burleigh has been leading the department in his absence.
Mayor Martin Mudd said he is confident in Burleigh’s leadership.
“I think it’s going to be a great thing for the City of Dayton. He has served in this capacity in the past, and I believe he is going to do a great job going forward,” Mudd said.
Mayor Pro Tem Tonya Smikal echoed that sentiment.
Burleigh is marking his 20th year with the Dayton Police Department, joking that he has “served in literally every position” during his tenure. He said he is honored to be chosen to lead the department and looks forward to the opportunity.
When asked about his goals as interim chief, Burleigh pointed to recruitment and retention as key priorities. He acknowledged that competing agencies in Harris and Montgomery counties often draw officers away with higher salaries, but he hopes to address those challenges. The department currently has one vacant position he expects to fill soon.
Burleigh began his law enforcement career in 1994 after attending the law enforcement academy at Lamar University in Beaumont. He first served as a deputy with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. After nine years, he stepped away from policing to work in the offshore oil and gas industry but soon felt called to return.
“It’s a profession that gets in your blood,” Burleigh said.
In 2006, he returned to law enforcement as a reserve officer for the Dayton Police Department.
“I fell in love with this place, and I have been here ever since,” he said.
Burleigh and his wife, Tammy, are the parents of two sons.
Great. He deserves it