Jimmy Toler sworn in as Tyler police chief

TYLER (KYTX) -- Tyler has a new police chief, but he's no stranger to the city or TPD.

Mayor Martin Heines swore in Jimmy Toler as chief of the Tyler Police Department at a Friday afternoon ceremony. Toler officially became chief at midnight last Friday, June 10 after a decades-long career at TPD.

"It's exciting," Toler said. "I've come all the way through the ranks of the Tyler Police Department in the last 22 years. To finally get the opportunity to be here and have the opportunity to lead this department is, in my mind, this is the greatest law enforcement agency in the state of Texas, and i get the chance to walk beside people who I think are heroes everyday, so I'm just excited to be here."

The department detailed Toler's career in a news release:

He began his career with the department in December of 1993. During his years of service with the department, he has had the opportunity to work within the Patrol, Investigations, and Administrative Divisions of the department. Prior to promoting, he worked as a Patrol Officer, a Youth Crimes Investigator, a Crimes Against Children Investigator and District Investigator.

Chief Toler began promoting through the ranks of the Tyler Police Department in 2001. He has held the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant and Assistant Chief of Police. As a supervisor, he completed assignments in Patrol, Vice / Narcotics, the Integrity Unit, and Lean Six Sigma. Utilizing his Lean Six Sigma training, Chief Toler focused on making improvements to numerous areas of the department. Chief Toler performed analysis for building a South Sub-station that received the approval of the Tyler City Council and. He remains a member of the City of Tyler Performance Excellence Program and continues to work to implement strategic planning principles and best practices throughout the organization.

In 2013, he promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief. During this time, Chief Toler has commanded the Patrol and the Investigations Divisions. He worked as the departmental liaison during the development and construction of the Faulkner Park Police Station.

Hundreds packed the Tyler Rose Garden Center for Friday's swearing-in ceremony. Those in attendance included law enforcement officers from across East Texas, Tyler city leaders and friends of the chief. State Representative-Elect Cole Hefner, Senator-Elect Bryan Hughes, and Senator Kevin Eltife were also present.