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No one was surprised when Mayor-elect Annise Parker tabbed McClellan to be the interim police chief until she names someone to the post permanently. McClellan was asked if he was in the running.
“Well, that’s not up to me. That’s up to Mayor Parker and anyone that’s on this executive command staff should be in a position that if they are faced with that opportunity or challenge, should be able to step on and take on that leadership role.”
He’s been a member of the HPD for over 32-years, saying that he’s always loved his job. McClellan says that promoting a chief from within the department is good.
“I do think that there are certainly well qualified individuals here inside the organization. But to be fair, when you’re talking about the chief of police of the fourth largest city in the nation, that’s a very very competitive job. So, there’s nothing wrong with looking nationwide to try to find the best suited individual. But just from my personal opinion, I do know that there’s people here in this organization capable of doing the job.”
Once again, McClellan was asked if he’d like to be the permanent police chief.
“It’s not what I like. It’s about being prepared in the organization to meet any challenge that you’re faced with. That’s what cops do.”