Grapevine’s longest-serving Police Chief will retire after 34 years in law enforcement.
Chief Eddie Salame began his career with Fort Worth Police in 1984. He joined the Grapevine Police Department in 1991 and served as Assistant Chief or Chief for the last 19 years.
Sworn in as Police Chief in 2005, Chief Salame said, “Reaching the pinnacle of my career is beyond satisfying. I take great pride in having led such an outstanding department.” Chief Salame credits police officers and personnel, city leadership and citizen support for helping make the Grapevine Police Department great.
Mayor William D. Tate said: “The Grapevine City Council and our citizens have demonstrated a consistently high level of support for our police department. Chief Salame’s departmental leadership and management has made us all proud. We wish he and his family well in a much-deserved retirement.” Salame’s last day will be Friday, April 27.
Grapevine City Manager Bruno Rumbelow has appointed Assistant Chief Mike Hamlin as the new Police Chief. He said: “Chief Hamlin is an outstanding police professional and an even better person. We are proud to have him be Grapevine’s next Police Chief. We look forward to Mike’s leadership to meet our ever-present goal of giving Grapevine citizens the type of department they deserve.”
Chief Hamlin began his career with Grapevine Police as Assistant Chief in 2015 after serving 30 years with North Richland Hills Police. Chief Hamlin holds a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management from Sam Houston State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Chief Hamlin is grateful for the experience of working under Chief Salame, and looks forward to the opportunity to lead: “It has been my honor and privilege to serve our citizens and visitors alongside the professional and dedicated men and women of this excellent department. As your chief, we will continue to deliver the highest level of service to our community, never being complacent and doing so with integrity, quality, dignity and equity.”
Mike Hamlin will assume his duties as Police Chief on April 27, 2018. A formal reception to swear him in will take place at the Public Safety Building on Monday, April 30, 2018.