City of Breckenridge to host welcome reception on Monday, April 29, for new Police Chief Blake Johnson
The City of Breckenridge will host a welcome reception and meet-and-greet for new Police Chief Blake Johnson, who started the new job on Monday, April 22.
The event will be open to the public, offering community members a chance to meet Johnson. The reception is scheduled from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 29, at the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce, 100 E. Elm St.
Johnson’s hiring was approved at a special City Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 26. He served as the Chief of Police in the community of Meridian in Bosque County from July 2021 until June 2023, and he and his wife, Monica, have recently been living in Clifton. Johnson has an associate of applied science degree in criminal justice from San Antonio College and is a Master Peace Officer. His list of certifications and proficiencies includes advanced crash reconstruction, crime prevention specialist, field training officer and crisis negotiator.
His previous work included Patrol Supervisor for the Leon Valley Police Department, February 2017 to July 2021; Patrol Sergeant for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, August 1993 to January 2017; Deputy Constable for the Bexar County Constables Precinct 1, August 1991 to August 1993; and part-time dispatcher for the City of Alamo Heights, December 1990 to December 1992. Additionally, he was an event supervisor for Spurs Sports and Entertainment from August 1999 to July 2015.
The City of Breckenridge started the search for a new police chief at the end of last year when former police chief Bacel Cantrell announced his resignation. Cantrell’s last day in the position was Feb. 1, and Tommy Williams served as the interim police chief through the City’s contract with Strategic Government Resources.
The search for a permanent police chief was handled in-house by the City with a committee that was appointed to oversee the search and included Mayor Bob Sims, City Commissioner Gary Mercer, City Manager Cynthia Northrop, Stephens County Sheriff Kevin Roach and Eric Debus, the police chief in the Rhome, the city where Northrop previously worked.
Cutline, top photo: New Breckenridge Police Chief Blake Johnson introduced himself at the April 2 City Commission meeting. A welcome reception will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 29, at the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
