The Wichita Falls man designated as the next Wichita Falls police chief will be presented to the City Council for confirmation Aug. 18 during an 8:30 a.m. public meeting in the Hayley Eye Clinic Seminar Room at the Multi-Purpose Events Center, according to the city.
Wichita Falls police Capt. Jonathan Lindsey is the designee to become Wichita Falls’ top cop and serve as the 23rd chief of police.
Lindsey is a 25-year veteran of the Wichita Falls Police Department who began his career in law enforcement in 2001, city officials said in a media release Wednesday.
“Captain Lindsey has demonstrated a deep commitment to the Wichita Falls community, exceptionalleadership within the department, and a clear vision for the future of policing in our city,” CityManager Jeff Jenkins said in a media release.
“His experience, professionalism, and dedication to public service make him well prepared to lead the Wichita Falls Police Department into its next chapter,” Jenkins said.
Throughout Lindsey’s career, he has served in a variety of WFPD assignments in patrol, crimes against persons, crimes against property, financial crimes, the Gang Task Force, Tactical Unit, SWAT Team and the Traffic Unit’s Motorcycle Division, city officials said in the media release.
Wichita County District Attorney John Gillespie said he has worked closely with Lindsey for over 20 years.
“He is a great leader, a man of integrity, and has a tremendous vision for leading the WFPD,” Gillespie said in a media release. “I am excited to work with the new Chief in protecting Wichita Falls.”
In 2016, Lindsey was promoted to sergeant in 2016, serving in patrol and the Tactical Unit, officials said. He waspromoted to Lieutenant in 2019, and he had leadership roles in patrol and the Special OperationsSection.
Promoted to captain in 2024, Lindsey oversees the Investigative Operations Division, officials said. The division includes the Criminal Investigations Section and the Special Operations Section.
Wichita Falls Mayor Tim Short said he is proud of city staff members and the search committee involved in efforts to find a new chief.
“They listened to the community and have taken to heart what was said in stakeholder meetings and asurvey,” Short said. “We are excited with the direction our Police Department will be going as we work forward.”
The media release said Lindsey “will lead with a clear intent to continue building on the department’s strengths anddeepen relationships between officers and the community they serve.”
Lindsey is anticipated to take the reins of a department that has been dealing with criticism, controversy and fallout related to the arrest of Victoria Lang at a restaurant on Aug. 26, 2026.
It became necessary to search for a new chief after longtime Chief Manuel Borrego left the department abruptly Feb. 20 in the wake of the arrest, which led to the firing and criminal indictment of one officer and resignation of another officer. Veteran law enforcement official Mitch Bates began serving as interim chief earlier this year.
The police chief designee has a Certificate of Achievement in Criminal Justice Education from the Universityof Virginia and is anticipated to earn his bachelor of science degree in criminal justice administrationin 2027, officials said.
He graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy in 2026 and is working toward finishing the Leadership Command College through the Texas Law Enforcement Management Institute, officials said.
Lindsey’s numerous awards include Rookie of the Year, Supervisor of the Year (2018, 2020, and 2021), theCertificate of Civic Achievement, the Certificate of Police Excellence, Life Saving Award and severalother commendations, officials said.
In addition, he is an active member of professional organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Texas Police Chiefs Association and the FBI National Academy Associates, officials said.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Trish Choate is the executive editor for the Abilene Reporter-News, San Angelo Standard-Times and Wichita Falls Times Record News. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@USATodayco.com. Read her recent work here.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: City of Wichita Falls designates next police chief
Reporting by Trish Choate, Wichita Falls Times Record News / Wichita Falls Times Record News
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By Trish Choate, Wichita Falls Times Record News | USA TODAY Network
