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Chief of Police
As the administrative head of the Little Elm Police Department, Chief of Police Rodney W. Harrison is responsible for all of the planning, controlling, directing, coordinating, and staffing activities of the department. He is responsible for the efficient allocation of resources as established through the budgetary process, as well as the department's relations with the local community, local government, and other related agencies. The Chief reports to the Town Manager.
Chief Harrison was sworn in as Chief of Police for the Town of Little Elm in 2015.
Background & Experience
Chief Harrison is a law enforcement veteran. He began his law enforcement career in 1990 for the City of Port Arthur, Texas, a diverse community with a population of more than 60,000 people. The first four years of his career, he served as a patrol officer and was part of the pilot project for the community-oriented policing program that Port Arthur still uses today.In 1994, Chief Harrison was selected to be a part of the Criminal Investigation Division where he remained for eight years as a violent crime investigator.
In 2002, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and returned to patrol for four years.
In 2006, Chief Harrison once again returned to Investigations and became supervisor of the Violent Crime Unit. While supervising that unit, he and his team solved a 20-year old homicide case which was considered the oldest solved cold case in Jefferson County, TX.
In 2009, he relocated to Orange County, Texas to join the Sheriff’s Office as Chief Deputy. Orange County had a population of 68,000 at that time, and the Sheriff Department was staffed with 146 total employees consisting of deputies, supervisors, detectives, corrections officers, and civilians. Chief Harrison was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office.
On June 15, 2011, he joined the Little Elm Police Department to oversee the Support Services Division.
On Oct. 1st, 2013, Chief Harrison was promoted in rank to Deputy Chief of Police. One year later, he was promoted as Assistant Chief and on July 13, 2015, he became the Chief of Police.
Education
Chief Harrison was sworn in as Chief of Police for the Town of Little Elm in 2015.
Chief Harrison is a law enforcement veteran. He began his law enforcement career in 1990 for the City of Port Arthur, Texas, a diverse community with a population of more than 60,000 people. The first four years of his career, he served as a patrol officer and was part of the pilot project for the community-oriented policing program that Port Arthur still uses today.In 1994, Chief Harrison was selected to be a part of the Criminal Investigation Division where he remained for eight years as a violent crime investigator.
In 2002, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and returned to patrol for four years.
In 2006, Chief Harrison once again returned to Investigations and became supervisor of the Violent Crime Unit. While supervising that unit, he and his team solved a 20-year old homicide case which was considered the oldest solved cold case in Jefferson County, TX.
In 2009, he relocated to Orange County, Texas to join the Sheriff’s Office as Chief Deputy. Orange County had a population of 68,000 at that time, and the Sheriff Department was staffed with 146 total employees consisting of deputies, supervisors, detectives, corrections officers, and civilians. Chief Harrison was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office.
On June 15, 2011, he joined the Little Elm Police Department to oversee the Support Services Division.
On Oct. 1st, 2013, Chief Harrison was promoted in rank to Deputy Chief of Police. One year later, he was promoted as Assistant Chief and on July 13, 2015, he became the Chief of Police.
Education
Chief Harrison holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Lamar University. He currently has a Master Peace Officer License issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education and has completed over 2200 training hours.
In 2010, he graduated from the 242nd session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Chief Harrison is thankful to be a part of the Little Elm community and believes it is an honor to work with such a dedicated group of officers and civilian staff who are committed to serving the needs of the residents and visitors of Little Elm.
Community Involvement- 2011 – Present LEISD Safety Committee
- 2012 – 2013 President of PTA of Little Elm High School
- 2013 – 2016 President of Little Elm High School Baseball Booster Club
- 2016 – Present Board Member of Children’s Advocacy Center of Denton County