A 24-year veteran of the North Richland Hills Police Department will soon take the reigns of the Flower Mound Police Department.
Andy Kancel, Assistant Chief of Police in North Richland Hills, was named Flower Mound’s new police chief on Monday.
“Andy Kancel is a highly respected law enforcement leader whose focus on community policing and public outreach will be a tremendous asset to the Town of Flower Mound,” said Flower Mound Town Manager Jimmy Stathatos.
During his time in North Richland Hills, Kancel has worked in and supervised areas such as patrol, SWAT, training, internal affairs, professional standards, school resource and community services.
He was recognized with the department’s Supervisor of the Year award in 2005.
Kancel holds a Permanent Peace Officers License for the State of Texas, a Master Peace Officers License, and is a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education licensed instructor.
In addition to his extensive law enforcement career, Chief Kancel is also a graduate from the FBI National Academy, Leadership Command College, and Law Enforcement Executive Development College. He graduated summa cum laude from Mountain State University with a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership and is working toward a master’s degree in administrative leadership from the University of Oklahoma.
“When examining all the outstanding applicants, Andy Kancel’s experience, integrity, and approachable demeanor quickly elevated him to the top of our list,” said Stathatos. “We look forward to having Chief Kancel at the helm of our police department for many years to come.”
In June, the town partnered with Strategic Government Resources to begin the search for a new police chief after the retirement of long-time chief Kenneth Brooker, who had been with Flower Mound for 30 years.
David James, a 36-year law enforcement veteran and retired Chief of Police for the City of Carrollton, has been serving as Interim Chief of Police until a new chief was selected.
Although a specific start date has not been determined, Stathatos will introduce Chief Kancel to the community during the Oct. 21 Town Council meeting.
“I am honored to be able to serve the citizens of Flower Mound as well as the staff of this great police department,” said Chief Kancel. “I look forward to getting to know everyone and my family and I are very excited to become a part of the Flower Mound community.”
