ABILENE, Texas —
A new chief has been named for the Abilene Police Department.
Rondell Seratte was selected by the City of Abilene and the police chief search committee. Seratte is currently the Lawton Police Department assistant chief of police in Lawton, Oklahoma and manages 100 employees in two divisions.
In a release from the City of Abilene, City Manager Robert Hanna said he was confident with the selection, saying after evaluating four highly-qualified candidates, the committee found Seratte’s abilities, experience and personal vision for the department made him the clear choice.
“We were impressed with Mr. Seratte’s leadership qualities and integrity, as well as his commitment to teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills,” Hanna said.
Seratte is noted for his sharp focus on crime prevention and community policing, among the expertise he is expected to bring to Abilene.
He will assume his role as APD’s chief by Feb. 1, 2024.
“My wife and I look forward to serving Abilene,” Seratte said. “I am committed to earning the trust and respect of the police department and the community.”
Seratte started his career as a police officer in the City of Comanche, Oklahoma, in June 1993. He relocated to Lawton in January 2000. Throughout his career in Lawton, he served in several department-wide positions, including training commander, investigative/special operations, honor guard, bike team and physical training coordinator.
He has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice/pre-law from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma, in 2005, and holds several advanced police certifications.
During his career in Lawton, Seratte won awards for his supervisory skills, including “Supervisor of the Year” in 2015, and “Supervisor of the Quarter” in 2019.
