Interim Chief Dean Swartzlander to be sworn in as Chief of Police

Interim Chief Donald “Dean” Swartzlander, Jr. will be sworn in as Chief of Police on Friday, Sept. 6, at 3 p.m., at Bryan Municipal Court. Swartzlander has served as the Interim Chief of Police since June 8 when Eric Buske retired.

“Given the outstanding leadership and dedication Interim Chief Swartzlander has shown, along with his 27 years of service to our community, we saw no need to conduct an external search for our next Chief of Police,” said City Manager Kean Register. “His deep understanding of the city and proven ability to guide our department, combined with his unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our residents, makes him the clear choice to lead our police force with integrity and vision.”

Swartzlander started his career on patrol in August 1997 where he served for four years. During that time, he was assigned K9 “Ranger,” a drug detection dog. In 2001, Swartzlander transferred to the newly-formed K9 Unit and was given a new partner, “Rudi,” who was trained in drug detection, article recovery, detention and apprehension until retirement in 2009. In 2008, Swartzlander was promoted to Sergeant where he supervised patrol and K9.

In 2009, Swartzlander transferred to the Training and Recruiting Unit. In 2014, he was promoted to Lieutenant over Support Services where he was instrumental in the planning and implementation of the department’s own Police Academy which graduated its first class on Nov. 15, 2018. In 2020, Swartzlander was promoted to Assistant Chief.

Swartzlander has received recognition for his exceptional work and service to the community:

• 1999 – Departmental Citation for his work on Church burglaries
• 2000 – Departmental Citation for responding to a call where he attempted to revive a child who later perished
• 2003 – Metal of Valor for the Robbery at Western Union
• 2003 – Named Officer of the Year by the Texas Municipal Police Officers’ Association
• 2004 – Received proclamation from Mayor Watson for courage in the line of duty
• 2005 – Received VFW Law Enforcement Gold Medal Award
• 2006 – Medal of Valor for the Taqueria Arandes Robbery
• 2009 – Community Service Citation K9 demonstration/presentation
• 2009 – Police Commendation for Armed Robbery at Palasota Grocery
• 2023 – Class 285 graduate of the FBI National Academy

Swartzlander has earned one of the department’s highest recognitions, more than once, when he was awarded Officer of the Year in 2000 and Supervisor of the Year in 2009 and again in 2011.

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