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New Hawkins police chief hopes to build trust with community

He’s inherited a department that is understaffed and has been heavily criticized by residents and the town’s mayor alike

HAWKINS, Texas — This city's new police chief started his career patrolling the streets of one of the largest cities in the Lone Star State. Now, he’s emerging from retirement to be chief in one of the state’s smaller towns.

With his first week on the job over, Paul Holland sat down in his light blue-colored office Tuesday at the Hawkins Police Department and reflected on his law enforcement career.

That experience, although primarily in a metropolitan area, already has come in handy as Hawkins’ top cop — and one of its only cops, said Holland, a 32-year law enforcement officer. He’s inherited a department that is understaffed and has been heavily criticized by residents and the town’s mayor alike.

Read more from our news partner, the Longview News-Journal.

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