In this episode of Southlake City Spotlight, Mayor Pro Tem Randy Williamson and Police Chief Ashleigh Casey talk about Southlake’s SRO division recent achievement of being awarded Role Model Agency Award by the National Association of School Resource Officers.
Southlake’s SRO officers receive a high level of police training to protect and serve Southlake students and the school community. Public Safety education, mentorship roles, and building positive relationships with the students and staff are all a large part of how School Resource Officers invest in the safety of Southlake’s students.
Click the video below to watch this week’s Southlake City Spotlight featuring Mayor Pro Tem Randy Williamson, Police Chief Ashleigh Casey, and Captain Blas Hernandez.
She will be sworn in as Chief in a public ceremony on June 26. The Council’s approval marks the final step in replacing former Chief James Brandon following his recent promotion to Assistant City Manager. Chief Casey’s appointment is effective immediately.
“Chief Casey brings extensive experience and a proven track record of excellence to this role,” stated City Manager Alison Ortowski. “The respect she has cultivated amongst the team and community makes her exceptionally well-suited to lead the Police Department to new heights and navigate future challenges,” she added.
Here are just a few highlights of Chief Casey’s career:
“There is no one better for this position,” said Assistant City Manager James Brandon. “I am confident in her leadership skills and ability to lead the department and partner with the community. We are fortunate that she has chosen Southlake for her law enforcement career,” he stated.
The community is invited to Chief Casey’s public swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at Southlake’s DPS Headquarters, 600 State Street. The ceremony will take place at 3:00 p.m. A reception will immediately follow.
Assistant Police Chief Ashleigh Casey and Senior Planning and Building Services Director Ken Baker were recently honored by their City of Southlake colleagues as Deputy Director of the Year and Outstanding Strategic Performer of the year, respectively.
“Ashleigh and Ken reached for and achieved excellence in their departments,” said City Manager Shana Yelverton. “2020 certainly didn’t turn out the way we had planned, but even with all of the challenges, I am so proud of how they worked with the community, the City Council, and city employees to keep the City moving forward during one of the most demanding years in memory.”
Chief Casey has been with the department since 2000 and was named Assistant Police Chief in 2015. She has a Master’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Texas in Arlington and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Baker has been with the City since 1999. He was named Senior Director of Planning and Building Services in 2013. He has a Master’s degree in Geography with an emphasis in City Planning from Western Kentucky University.
The Mayor’s Alliance for Unity and Culture hosted a Virtual Town Hall on July 29 with the Southlake Police Department to ask and answer questions Southlake residents have about the Police Department.
Watch the event recording and follow-up video here.
Mayor Laura Hill was joined by Alliance members and Southlake residents Anthony Shelton and Elisa O’Callaghan to host and moderate the event. Acting Police Chief Ashleigh Casey answered questions along with Captain Randy Thomas, SRO Sergeant John Stokes, SRO Corporal Blas Hernandez, SRO Frank Rogers (Carroll Sr. High School), SRO Cory Rattan (Carroll High School), SRO Brett Roberson (Carroll Middle School), and SRO Anthony Pate (Dawson Middle School).
“The Alliance filled a complete calendar of incredible events for our citizens to experience during 2020 and had to be canceled due to COVID-19,” Hill said during the event. “They were quick to pivot this summer, especially after the murder of George Floyd. We came together and made the decision to give our citizens an opportunity to speak to us and ask us their questions.”
During the event, the Southlake Police Department answered questions that were submitted ahead of time by Southlake residents. Casey and her team answered questions relating to police policies, training and education, the School Resource Officer program, equipment and other policing matters. Though questions were not taken during the event, all questions asked were tracked and after the event Casey answered those questions.
Look for more virtual events from the Mayor’s Alliance coming this fall. Have an idea for a Mayor’s Alliance event? Submit it here.