After more than three decades of exemplary service to Boerne and its residents, Boerne’s Chief of Police Jim Kohler announced Tuesday that he will retire on October 31, 2021.
Chief Kohler’s October retirement date will coincide with his 10th year of being chief of the department.
“Chief Kohler has been an integral part of our public safety efforts in Boerne, and we thank him for this many years of dedicated service to our community,” Boerne City Manager Ben Thatcher said. “Since I have arrived in Boerne, he has been a key advisor and leader in our day-to-day interactions, and as we navigated the on-going pandemic and February’s historic winter storm. I look forward to celebrating his many accomplishments and congratulate him on a well-deserved retirement.”
Working his way up through the ranks of the Boerne Police Department, Chief Kohler joined the department in June 1990 from the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. During his tenure he had the opportunity to work in several units and divisions within the department, listed below, which he says made for a very enjoyable and rewarding experience.
- Chief of Police, Boerne Police Department | 2011-present
- Assistant Chief of Police, Boerne Police Department | 2003-2011
- Operations Lieutenant, Boerne Police Department | 1998-2003
- Patrol Sergeant, Boerne Police Department | 1991-1998
- Police Officer, Boerne Police Department | 1990-1991
“I am extremely proud of the men and women that work for this community,” Kohler said. “We have had a lot of success as a team, and I was excited to be a part of it. I grew as the agency grew and was always humbled by how much this community loves and supports law enforcement and first responders.”
When he joined the Boerne Police Department, he was one of only 11 team members. The police department now employs 63 full-time civilians and sworn officers. Under his leadership, the department’s equipment has modernized allowing officers and dispatchers access to the best technology at above-industry standards. Chief Kohler has also provided numerous professional development and educational opportunities to enable officers to be some of the best trained in the state and remain well-versed on current policing best practices.
Since becoming chief, the Boerne Police Department was first designated a “Recognized Law Enforcement Agency” in 2012. Currently, only 170 police agencies of the 2,700 in Texas have received this designation. In 2016 and again in 2020, an audit was conducted by the Texas Police Chiefs Association and the Boerne Police Department was re-recognized for their “Best Practices Recognition Program.”
Chief Kohler also oversaw the reimplementation of the Police K-9 unit with the addition of two canines and equipment donated by the Boerne Police Foundation.
“Jim’s greatest asset as Police Chief is that he cares. He cares about this community, the organization, and he cares about his staff,” Mayor Tim Handren said. “There are few people with as much passion for our community and he is leaving the department a better place.”
Chief Kohler says he is looking forward to spending more time with those who have supported him most during his accomplished law enforcement career: his family.
“I have loved my career and I love the Boerne community, the people, every part of it, but it is the right time to take that step toward the next chapter in my life,” Kohler said. “The department and the community’s future are very bright, and I know the department is in the very capable hands of the next generation of law enforcement professionals.”
The City will begin the hiring process for the next police chief in future months.