Newly appointed Chief of Police Mike Markle shakes hands with Corpus Christi City Manager Ron Olsen. In the background city council members and Mayor Nelda Martinez give Markle, who has been serving as interim chief since the death of Chief Floyd Simpson last year, a standing ovation. Photo courtesy CCPD
In case there was any doubt, Interim Chief of Police Mike Markle became the official Chief of Police Jan. 12 with a unanimous vote of the city council at its regular Tuesday meeting in City Hall.
“I am going to do my best to lead the department and be a member of this community,” said Markle, who has served on the Corpus Christi police force since 1989. A native of Pennsylvania, he fell in love the city after serving out his military service here and decided to stay.
“I I loved Corpus Christi,” he told Corpus Christi Business News in an earlier interview. “I loved the weather, I loved the coast, I love the people. I like Texas in general.”
The 45-item council agenda for the regular Tuesday meeting, Jan. 12, also included:
• Discussion on filling an upcoming vacancy on the council as councilwoman Lillian Riojas steps down Feb. 24 to take a job in San Antonio.
• Possible new policies for dealing with aggressive panhandling downtown.
• A three-item Executive session to discuss collective bargaining agreements between the city and the Corpus Christi Firefighters Association; deploying or implementing security personnel and/or devices at city hall and other city structures; and employment law related claims.
