ALAMO — City commissioners approved the hiring of a new police chief during a special meeting Tuesday.
Commissioners voted in favor of hiring Baudelio Castillo, the current La Villa police chief.
Commissioners Trino Medina, Robert De La Garza and Pete Morales voted in favor of hiring Castillo.
Castillo, a Weslaco native, started his law enforcement career with the Donna Police Department in 1989.
He spent 24 years with the Weslaco Police Department where he rose through the ranks to assistant police chief before leaving the department in 2011.
Castillo was the pick out of 10 applicants, which included Michael Perez, a district attorney’s office investigator, Sullivan City Police Chief Richard Ozuna and former Alamo Police Department Lt. Albert Caballero, according to City Manager Luciano Ozuna Jr.
Before his first day, Castillo will undergo a drug and background test — usual pre-employment protocol.
Castillo will be city’s first new police chief in 21 years following the retirement of former police Chief Arturo “Art” Espinosa who was diagnosed with prostate cancer late last year.
Two sergeants are temporarily overseeing the department until the new chief is cleared to begin his duties.
Castillo, who’s been with the La Villa Police Department for about five months, is currently completing his master’s degree in law enforcement. He will head the La Villa Police Department until he submits a formal resignation.
“Through my experience, I want to bring the (Alamo Police) Department to the next level,” Castillo said.
