North Texas Town Of Sunnyvale Hires Andrew Hawkes As Its First Police Chief
SUNNYVALE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - The town of Sunnyvale recently swore in its first ever police chief for its new police department.
Chief of Police Andrew Hawkes is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement who has spent most of his career in the DFW area.
Most recently, Chief Hawkes served as chief for the city of Jacksonville, Texas.
The Sunnyvale Police Department was established in November of 2019 and is currently in its startup phase, according to the town's website.
The Dallas County Sheriff's Office continues to provide law enforcement services to the Town of Sunnyvale through October 2020.
"This is a very important step for the Town of Sunnyvale," Town Manager Susan Guthrie said in a September news release regarding the start-up of their own police department."We are pleased to have someone with Andrew's experience to serve as our first police chief."
He previously served as lieutenant of the Operations Division for the Collin County Sheriff's Office from 2001 to 2016, police officer/canine officer for the Grapevine Police Department from 1998 to 2001; deputy sheriff for the Rockwall County Sheriff's Office from 1992 to 1998; and a communications operator for the Rockwall Police Department from 1990 to 1991.
Hawkes obtained his master's degree in criminal justice leadership and administration from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Dallas Baptist University.
The Town received 96 applications from candidates in 14 states.
Hawkes started his new job October 1.
Sunnyvale is 16 miles east of Dallas.