Retiring Marble Falls police chief leaves lasting legacy

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Whitacre proud of local policing efforts during 35-year tenure

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  • Over the years, Marble Falls Police Chief Mark Whitacre collected coins, patches and other items denoting accolades and enhancements at the local agency. Connie Swinney/The Highlander
    Over the years, Marble Falls Police Chief Mark Whitacre collected coins, patches and other items denoting accolades and enhancements at the local agency. Connie Swinney/The Highlander
  • MFPD Chief Mark Whitacre shared an old newspaper clipping of the day he was sworn into the police department in 1985.
    MFPD Chief Mark Whitacre shared an old newspaper clipping of the day he was sworn into the police department in 1985.
  • In 2017, MFPD Chief Mark Whitacre addressed the crowd (above) during the grand opening of the new Public Safety Facility, 606 Avenue N. In 2020, he – on behalf of the local police agency – accepted a certificate of recognition (below) from the Retired Chief Bruce Mills of the Texas Police Chiefs Association Foundation. File photos
    In 2017, MFPD Chief Mark Whitacre addressed the crowd (above) during the grand opening of the new Public Safety Facility, 606 Avenue N. In 2020, he – on behalf of the local police agency – accepted a certificate of recognition (below) from the Retired Chief Bruce Mills of the Texas Police Chiefs Association Foundation. File photos
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  • Marble Falls Police Chief spoke at the groundbreaking of the new public safety facility, 606 Avenue N, in 2016. File photo
    Marble Falls Police Chief spoke at the groundbreaking of the new public safety facility, 606 Avenue N, in 2016. File photo
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Marble Falls Police Chief Mark Whitacre will retire this month after cultivating a 35- year career of improvements in agency staffing, facilities, resources and community policing.

Whitacre joined the department in December 1985, where over the years he was lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and eventually appointed chief Oct. 4, 1991. (See his achievements and experience on Page 5).

Over the years, he worked with 10 mayors – some of which served multiple terms – more than 10 city managers; three district attorneys and several more municipal, county and district judges.

“The police department is a family,” Whitacre said. “There have been over 340 officers that I’ve had the opportunity to either have worked with or led.

“I know the PD is a well respected agency, not just in Central Texas but throughout the state,” he added. “We may be small but we have access to technology and (resources) that are uncommon for agencies this size.

Personnel levels

When Whitacre joined the department, there were nine staff members at the agency. Now, there are 24.

During his tenure, he was in tune with the level of overtime and potential burnout among officers working to meet the demands of the job.

“The number one thing that police officers do is answer calls for service,” he said. “Second to that is the follow up to the investigations of the crimes that are reported. That’s the expectation.”

As the department grew, so did the level of training, organization of work flow and service and protection expectation.

“How we go through the hiring process has made a difference in the individuals that we hire. It’s about the environment,” he said. “It’s about the city itself, the support we’ve gotten from city administration and councils.”

Over the years, he consistently approached administrators with personnel requests to keep pace with growth.

Facility enhancements

During much of Whitacre’s time with the agency, the police department was located at Third and Main Street, with the idea the site would be a temporary.

Issues with funding, new site considerations and the economy kept remanding the project to the “back burner.”

Nearly 28 years later, the goal of a newly-built facility, located at 606 Avenue N, came to fruition.

“The timing was right. The money was there,” he said. “This is a nice facility.

“It had the amenities, and it was laid out in a more efficient manner, and it’s built in such a way where it can be added onto when it’s needed.”

Officials also moved the municipal court, previously in the city hall building, under the same roof. The move complimented the interaction between police and the judicial arm of the city, he explained.

Community policing

Even as talks about projects and personnel ebbed and flowed, Whitacre and his staff maintained a goal of building a relationship with the community.

“You treat people with respect and dignity, you get that in return,” he said. “The community as a whole is very supportive of us because of what we give to them.”

From community-based projects such as National Night Out to public town hall meetings, his agency made it a point to reach out to residents.

“It’s that community spirit; we’re part of the community. That’s the way it should be.”

He believes the department’s hiring decisions played a role in quality of personnel.

“I’m very proud of the stories that I hear where officers have helped somebody fix a flat tire or (with) a vehicle breakdown,” Whitacre said. “When it’s cold outside and they’ve seen folks out, they have paid for motel rooms.

“They have paid for meals – out of their own pockets,” he added. “Those are the kind of individuals we hire. That’s the kind of people that we support. The community sees that.”

Leadership philosophy

The departing chief is best known for leading by example with emphasis on performance, results and integrity.

“I’ve always tried to be one of those individuals who is very humble. You do your job; you do it right; things will take care of themselves.”

For his entire stint with MFPD he lived by a mantra inspired by quote from Abraham Lincoln that was presented to him after he was hired:

If I were to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won’t amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, then angels swearing I was right would make no difference.

“I’ve abided by that,” he said.

Future family life

Whitacre sees a future with a focus on family.

“You finally get to a point, where it’s time to stop, kick back and relax a bit. I’m going to focus on family,” he said. “For 41 years (his entire law enforcement career), the family has taken a back seat at times when things happens.

“When bad things happen, we go to work whether it be natural disasters, a major crime or something like that. They don’t happen Monday through Friday, 8 to 5.”

He and his wife of 35 years, Bonnie, will retire and plan to construct a home on several acres. They plan on spending more time with their three adult sons and their families, including six grandchildren.

“Family is everything. They mean everything to me.”

Steady transition

The city is hosting a midday retirement event for Whitacre on June 25 at Lakeside Pavilion.

He believes the agency will not miss a step, and he has every confidence the community will benefit from the transition.

He will be replaced by the current Assistant Chief Glenn Hanson. Hanson began his career with MFPD in 2002 and rose to the position of assistant chief in October 2018.

“He and the command staff have some fresh ideas. They’re going to put their stamp on Marble Falls PD,” he said. “Our clearance rate for crime has exceeded and many times doubled the national average. We have a great staff and their heart is in it.”

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The following is a compilation of career highlights of retiring MFPD Police Chief Mark  Whitacre. . .

Whitacre, a Marble Falls 1974 graduate, participated in and was recognized for his service in a number of local, regional and state entities. His experience started directly after he graduated in 1980 from Southwest Texas State University with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice.

His background included:

• June 1980 to August 1981 – Harlingen Police Department as a patrolman;

• September 1981 to November 1985 – Burnet County Texas Sheriff’s Department as a deputy and investigator;

• December 1985 to Present – Marble Falls Texas Police Department serving as Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief and Chief. He was appointed chief of police on October 4, 1991.

While serving at MFPD:

• 1981-85 – Participated on the board of the Greater Austin Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) team, encompassing 10 counties;

• 1992 – Developed the 33rd Judicial District NET team which concentrated on five rural counties – encompassing Burnet, Llano, San Saba, Blanco and Mason – as part of the Texas Narcotics Control Program to develop drug interdiction task forces;

• 1997 – Assisted in the development of and became project manager for the Cover Operations Response team, as a support task force for state and federal law enforcement. His awards over the years included:

His awards over the years included:

• 1987 – Sheriff Wallace Riddell Memorial Award.

• 1990 – Marble Falls Police Department “Officer of the Year” Award.

• 1998 – Central Texas Crime Prevention Association “Crime Prevention Manager of the Year” Award.

• 2010 – Jack Griesenbeck Leadership in Regionalism Award.

Whitacre’s other affiliations included:

• Member of the Texas Police Chief’s Association (TPCA)

• Member of the National Police Chief’s Association (NPCA)

• Member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)

• Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) where he served as a Law Enforcement Education Committee member since 1998 and on the Homeland Security Task Force Committee, including the Strategic Directions Subcommittee and the Long Term Radio Interoperability subcommittee.