The town of Argyle has announced the names of four finalists in its search for a new police chief, and a reception will be held next month where residents can meet the candidates.
The Argyle Town Council selected Strategic Government Resources (SGR) to assist in conducting the search for a replacement for Temple Cottle, who retired earlier this year. The town received 76 applications from 14 states. There were 59 applicants from Texas, including four residents from Argyle, according to a news release from the town. Candidate vetting included a comprehensive questionnaire, online interviews, a psychometric assessment, a thorough media search, and a rigorous background investigation.
The finalists are Dan Busken (the current interim police chief for Argyle), Emmitt Jackson, Shaun Short and James Chris Summitt.
Busken previously served as chief of police for the City of Greenville from 2010 until February 2019, the chief of police for the City of Madison, Alabama, from 2000-2009, and the chief of police for the City of Crystal City, Missouri, from 1993-2000. Busken holds a master’s degree in business administration from Northcentral University, a master’s degree in public administration from St. Louis University, a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Culver-Stockton College, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Jackson is currently the chief of police for the City of Keene, a position he has held since 2017. He began his career in law enforcement as a patrol officer with the City of Dallas in 2002 and rose through the ranks to lieutenant, a position he held from 2013-2017. Jackson holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Lamar University, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of North Texas, and is a graduate of the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas at Sam Houston State University.
Short currently serves as the chief of police for the City of Joshua, a position he has held since 2016. He previously served as assistant police chief/police captain in various divisions, including police services and investigations, for the Department of Public Safety, DFW International Airport from 1988-2016. Short holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Texas, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Tarleton State University, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Summitt has served in various positions for the City of Denton, Texas, Police Department for almost 15 years. He is currently the operations watch commander, a position he has held since January 2019, and previously held from 2010-2014. He also served as the deputy chief for the investigations and support bureau from July 2018 to January 2019; criminal investigations division commander from 2015-2018; operations administrative lieutenant from 2014-2015; sergeant for the special enforcement division from 2008-2010; and patrol sergeant from 2005-2008. Summitt holds a master’s degree in criminal justice leadership and management from Sam Houston State University, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of North Texas, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas at Sam Houston State University.
The four candidates have been invited for interviews on Dec. 9-10. A Candidate/Community Reception has been scheduled for Dec. 9, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Argyle Town Hall, 308 Denton St. East, so members of the community can meet all four candidates.
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