The Boerne Police Department has found its new chief in 22-year BPD veteran Steve Perez, who is set to become the city’s sixth police chief since the position was established in 1953.
Perez will be filling the shoes of former BPD Chief Jim Kohler, who retired from the police force in October to run for the Kendall County Precinct 2 justice of the peace position. He had been Boerne’s police chief for about 10 years.
BPD officer Jeff Page has served as the interim chief of police since Kohler stepped down, but he is set to retire Feb. 26. That’s when Perez officially will take on his new role as chief, information from the city stated.
“Boerne is a wonderful city with a great sense of pride in our law enforcement officers. This strong partnership is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our officers,” Perez said. “I am excited to continue to help instill that trust within our community and workplace as we exemplify our city values of service, excellence, integrity, respect and collaboration.”
According to a press release from the city, a month-long assessment of the police department was conducted by Strategic Government Resources – a company that “exists to help local governments become more successful by recruiting, assessing and developing innovative, collaborative and authentic leaders” – which is the same company used to recruit several public officials in the city, including City Manager Ben Thatcher.
In the company’s assessment of the department, BPD department supervisors and “key community partners” were interviewed to better understand the knowledge, abilities and personal attributes sought in the police chief set to permanently fill the position held by Page. Several city staff members and Boerne City Council members also were consulted, the city’s information stated.
Perez has served in many roles for the city’s law enforcement agency and beyond, including a detective in the department’s criminal investigations division, a lieutenant overseeing the department’s patrol division, a board member for the Kendall County Women’s Shelter, commander of the police department’s emergency response team and more.
In 2019, Perez graduated with a master’s degree in public service administration from Texas A&M University after receiving his bachelor’s degree in criminology from Texas A&M – San Antonio. According to the press release from the city, Perez is also a member of the FBI National Academy Class 257.
“Steve has a lot of support among our officers and civilian staff, as well as across the community,” Page said. “He will be instrumental in creating Boerne’s police department of tomorrow. It was clear to everyone from the feedback gathered that he is the best person to lead this department and that we did not need to seek outside applicants for the position.”
Perez is a San Antonio native who began his work with BPD in 1999 after serving four years on active duty in the United States Army as a mechanized infantryman in the 1st Infantry Division and a year in law enforcement with the Alamo Community College District in 1998. After moving into Boerne law enforcement, Perez made his way through the ranks, and is now reach top-dog status.
“Since joining the city more than 20 years ago, Steve has continued to excel and grow within our department,” Thatcher said. “Starting as an officer, before becoming a sergeant, lieutenant, captain and assistant chief, Steve has seen the evolution of our department and community policing. He has established himself as a leader and mentor within our organization.”
In 2004 and 2010, Perez received the Life Savings Award, which recognizes an officer for conducting a selfless act in an effort to save another person’s life. In 2020, Perez received two Meritorious Service awards, which recognizes the integrity and dedication of an officer’s character shown while they are on duty. Additionally, Perez was named the BPD’s officer of the year in 2003.
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