After a rigorous national search and intense local interview process, the City of Hutto has chosen a highly credentialed Texan to lead the Hutto Police Department through its next chapter.
Jeff Yarbrough will join the rapidly growing Hutto community as Hutto Police Chief on April 18, 2022. He is currently the Chief of Police for Round Rock ISD, where he manages a nearly $5 million budget providing safety and security for 57 campuses with 7,000 employees and 50,000 students. His duties also include overseeing behavioral health services through a team of social workers.
Hutto Mayor Mike Snyder said that while the group of final candidates was diverse and impressive, Yarbrough rose to the top. Yarbrough’s proven experience building programs and developing personnel in fast-growing communities will be vital, he said, as Hutto is projected to possibly double its current estimate of nearly 40,000 residents in the next 10 years.
“We’re confident Chief Yarbrough has the experience, knowledge and demeanor to effectively lead HPD and our community through this continuous growth,” Snyder said. “His commitment to outreach and inclusion will well serve both the department and the community. We look forward to his work to effectively retain and recruit excellent officers.”
With 27 years in law enforcement under his belt, the Operation Desert Storm U.S. Army veteran impressed everyone he met through Hutto’s multi-phase recruiting process. Interim City Manager Isaac Turner said that as a semifinalist for the Hutto chief position, Yarbrough received rave reviews during this week’s community open house. He proceeded to shine during two sets of final interviews: one with police staff, community members, and city executives; and the other with command staff from Hutto Police, Hutto Fire Rescue and other area law enforcement.
“Chief Yarbrough did a great job through all phases of the process, including with our panelists who were all impressed by his responses to questions and scenarios,” Turner said. “His credentials are outstanding, and he brings to Hutto a strong network among many agencies in the region.”
Yarbrough will succeed Jim Stuart, who made a major difference in a short time in Hutto—serving as interim police chief the past several months.
“We are grateful to Chief Stuart for his commitment to the Hutto Police Department and community during an important transition,” Turner said. “He was able to achieve results and help the department make significant progress. Chief Yarbrough will come to Hutto with positive momentum on his side.”
That momentum is one of the reasons Yarbrough wanted to work in Hutto, the incoming chief said. He called Hutto “a city of opportunity” for long-time residents, newer families and future residents alike.
“The opportunity is there for Hutto Police to grow alongside the community we serve, and with that to stay one of the safest cities in the State of Texas,” Yarbrough said. “There is little doubt this is a community that truly embraces and values its local police. I couldn’t be more excited to continue that great relationship, and also to get to know and serve each member of the Hutto Police Department.”
Yarbrough’s professional experience includes several years as an investigator with the Texas Attorney General, the State Bar of Texas, and the Travis County District Attorney, in addition to working in sheriff’s offices. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and his Master’s degree from Texas A&M.
“The members of the Hutto Police Department have earned an outstanding reputation within our community,” Turner said. “We look forward to Chief Yarbrough enhancing that excellent relationship even further.”