CONTACT: Rick McGarry, CIS Coordinator, City of Richardson, 972-744-4106
Acting Chief of Police Jim Spivey has been appointed Richardson’s Chief of Police effective Aug. 5, City Manager Bill Keffler announced. Spivey has served as acting chief since Jan. 1, filling the position vacated by former Chief Larry Zacharias who retired at the end of 2008.
According to Keffler, Spivey was selected from more than 60 candidates chosen from an executive search firm’s nationwide screening.
“Jimmy’s tremendous experience and strong track record here in Richardson, and in Dallas before, made him an exceptional candidate among many other well-qualified professionals in the selection process,” Keffler said. “He has established a great rapport with the City Council and staff, our institutional partners and the community at large. His leadership has been instrumental in the Police Department being able to earn its high reputation within the community and within the public safety profession.”
Spivey began his career with the City of Richardson in 1995 when he was hired as a Captain. During his seven years as Captain, he had command oversight of the Patrol Division and the Administrative Services Division. He coordinated activities of three patrol shifts and authored the department’s sector deployment model. He played a key role in initiating the department’s change from task management to a results-driven orientation.
Spivey was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police in 2002 and had command oversight of Police Field Operations and coordinated the activities of three major divisions. He helped to develop several programs including the RPD volunteer program, the police recruiting program and the department’s competency-based evaluation system. Spivey chaired the Apprentice Police Officer Interview Board, initiated RPD organizational assessment meetings and the department’s “Higher Caliber” branding project. He also served as the RPD red light camera project manager.
“I am truly honored to be appointed Chief of the Richardson Police Department,” Spivey said. “I am keenly aware of the hard work that has been done by the men and women of this Department to create the legacy of greatness we now enjoy and look forward to joining together to see that legacy perpetuated.”
Spivey came to the City of Richardson after serving almost 25 years with the Dallas Police Department (DPD). He was a Dallas Police Officer in the Southeast Patrol Division from 1971-79 and was a Supervisor at the Dallas City Jail and the Northeast Division from 1979-89. From 1989-1995 Spivey served as Government Affairs Coordinator, Victims Assistance Coordinator and Grants Coordinator. He represented the DPD on federal and state legislative issues and served as an advisor to the Texas Punishment Standards Commission in 1993, the Texas Juvenile Justice Commission in 1995 and was a member of Congressman Joe Barton’s Criminal Justice Advisory Committee. He authored the department’s COPs grant and created the DPD Victim Assistance Unit.
Spivey graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. He is a graduate of the Dallas Police Academy and the Southwest Law Enforcement Institute-School of Police Supervision.
Spivey is a former Neighborhood Youth and Family Counseling board member and is a current board member for the Richardson Boys and Girls Club after serving as president of the board in 2006-2007. He is a member of the Artesia Masonic Lodge in Terrell and a member of the Scottish Rite of Dallas. Spivey and his wife Jana have recently purchased a home in Richardson and are in the process of relocating with their two children.