City Manager Ben Thatcher announced Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, that Steve Perez has been promoted to Police Chief for the Boerne Police Department. Perez has been serving as the Interim Assistant Police Chief since the retirement of Police Chief Jim Kohler in October.
He will become the department’s sixth police chief since the City created the position in 1953.
Perez was born and raised in San Antonio. After serving four years of active duty in the United States Army as a mechanized Infantryman with the 1st Infantry Division, he began his law enforcement career in 1998 with the Alamo Community Colleges District Department of Public Safety. In 1999, he joined the City of Boerne as a police officer.
“Since joining the City more than 20 years ago, Steve has continued to excel and grow within our department,” Thatcher said. “Starting as an officer, before becoming a sergeant, lieutenant, captain and assistant chief, Steve has seen the evolution of our department and community policing. He has established himself as a leader and mentor within our organization.”
The City conducted a one-month department assessment led by Strategic Government Resources, an executive recruiting firm that works with local governments. The firm interviewed every department supervisor and multiple key community partners to gather input on the knowledge, abilities, and personal attributes the community was seeking in its next Police Chief. They also consulted several key City staff members and City Council members.
“Steve has a lot of support among our officers and civilian staff, as well as across the community,” Interim Police Chief Jeff Page said. “He will be instrumental in creating Boerne’s Police Department of tomorrow. It was clear to everyone from the feedback gathered that he is the best person to lead this department and that we did not need to seek outside applicants for the position.”
Perez received the Life Saving Awards in 2004 and 2010, two Meritorious Conduct Awards in 2020, several Letters of Commendation, and was the Boerne Police Department’s Officer of the Year in 2003.
“Boerne is a wonderful city with a great sense of pride in our law enforcement officers. This strong partnership is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our officers,” Perez said. “I am excited to continue to help instill that trust within our community and workplace as we exemplify our City values of service, excellence, integrity, respect, and collaboration.”
Perez will take over as Police Chief on Feb. 26, 2022, upon the retirement of Interim Police Chief Jeff Page.
Perez has been married for more than 21 years to his wife, Kathleen. They have two sons, Diego and Max, and they enjoy being outdoors. He also serves on several local nonprofit organizations as a board member. Perez is a graduate of Texas A&M University – San Antonio with a BA in Criminology, as well as Texas A&M University – College Station with a Master of Public Service Administration and Certificate in Public Management. He was also a member of the FBI National Academy, Class 257.