ABILENE, Texas —
Abilene Police Department's Interim Chief of Police, Doug Wrenn, has announced his retirement from the department after more than 30 years of public service.
Wrenn has been serving as interim since April 2023.
The Abilene City Council will pay tribute to Wrenn during its regular meeting Thursday morning.
Wrenn's journey began after college in 1993, when he was sworn in as an APD officer. He was on the department's SWAT team from 1996 to 2004, was promoted to sergeant in 2000, and was named traffic division commander in 2004. Wrenn was promoted to assistant police chief in 2010.
"I have been fortunate to have worked as an officer for over 30 years," Wrenn said about his career. "It's not how much you make, it's what you do with what you make. Enjoy what you do for a living. Choosing to work at the Abilene Police Department has been the best decision I have made in my professional life".
In a video commemorating his 30-year milestone, Wrenn marveled at how quickly time has passed, while his diverse career has afforded him various opportunities to serve the community, a release from the City of Abilene said. He highlighted his time with the traffic division, which provided unique insights, including investigations involving critical and life-altering collisions.
“(That) taught me the fragility of life and a different kind of community policing,” he said.
“I’ve gotten to know the brass tacks of our department, and every day I go home proud of what the men and women, sworn and civilian alike, accomplish,” Wrenn said about APD personnel.
He also commended the department's commitment to judicious use of force, the release said.
“(After de-escalation methods fail), we’re not going to use anything but less lethal (options) unless we absolutely have to,” Wrenn said. “I’m very proud of being part of an agency that has an accountability system in place and that value system.”
Wrenn said one of the highlights of his career was his involvement in relocating the department's headquarters, showcasing the community's support, as well as that of the Abilene City Council and City Administration.
In the release, Wrenn said though his assignments have changed through the years, he was on call 24/7, 365 days a year for 28 straight years.
“I do look forward to not being so closely tied to my phone; however, I will dearly miss those people who still choose to answer the call,” he said. “I am also very excited for the future of the Abilene Police Department.”
His service as interim chief of police during the search for the City's newest police chief resulted in the appointment of Rondell Seratte, who will officially assume the role by Feb. 1, 2024.
The Council is set to vote Thursday to approve Craig Jordan as interim police chief until Seratte's official start date.
