Troy Finner retires as chief of the Houston Police Department

HOUSTON — Troy Finner is retiring after serving three years as chief of the Houston Police Department.

News of his retirement came amid an investigation into the department’s suspension of incident reporting due to “lack of staff.”

“The last few months of my career have been perhaps the most challenging but also the most rewarding,” Finner said in a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter. “This has been painful because some victims of violent crime have not received the quality care and services they deserve. But it has been beneficial because we have put measures in place to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Our department and our profession will be better off because of it.

Finner joined HPD 34 years ago. He worked as a patrol officer for 12 years before being promoted to sergeant. He held this position for five years before becoming a lieutenant. Seven years later, he was given the role of deputy chief and took over as police chief when former Mayor Sylvester Turner appointed him in 2021.

CHRONOLOGY: HPD Chief Troy Finner’s retirement ends 34-year career with department

Finner said becoming a Houston police officer was one of the best choices he ever made and it was an honor to serve the Houston community.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all citizens who have shown me unconditional love and support,” he said.

Finner didn’t say what’s next for him, but said that whatever the future holds, he will continue to serve others.

Read his full statement below:

“Thirty-four years ago, I decided to become a Houston police officer and serve my city. It has been one of the best choices I have made in my life. Every day, even the hardest, was enriching.

Without doing anything, we have the best citizens in the world, and it has been an honor to serve every neighborhood in our city. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all citizens who have shown me unconditional love and support.

It has been a privilege to work with some of the most dedicated and honorable public servants, both civilian and classified. Your contributions to our city have been unparalleled. Let’s make sure we love and support each other as a family as we provide services to our great community.

I will always remember and honor the 121 members in our agency’s history who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Let us never forget them or their families.

The last few months of my career have perhaps been the most difficult but also the most rewarding. It was painful because some victims of violent crime were not receiving the quality care and services they deserved. But it has been beneficial because we have implemented measures to ensure this does not happen again. Our department and our profession will be better off because of it.

Most importantly, I would like to thank God for guiding my steps and keeping me safe throughout my career. I would also like to thank my family and close friends for their unwavering support.

It was the greatest honor to serve as your leader for three years in this great department and this great city. Whatever the future holds for me, I will continue to serve others. »

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