Former Aubrey Police Chief Selected to Lead Olney Police Department

After an extensive and months-long search, the Olney City Council has selected Bryan Barrett as the city’s new police chief. Chief Barrett officially stepped into the role on Monday, Nov. 17, bringing with him more than 28 years of law enforcement experience and a passion for “making things better.”

Chief Barrett replaces former Olney Police Chief Dan Birbeck, who left in May to lead the police department in Vernon following a series of disputes with then–City Administrator Simon Dwyer over budget and operational matters. Mr. Dwyer also departed the City of Olney over the summer for another municipal position, Mayor Rue Rogers said.

Mayor Rogers said the Council interviewed three highly qualified finalists before unanimously offering Mr. Bar- “Bryan emerged as the strongest overall candidate,” Mayor Rogers said. “With more than 15 years of experience as a police chief, he brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and leadership. He’s eager to begin and plans to fully engage with our community.”

Chief Barrett’s background includes serving as Chief of Police in Aubrey from 2001 to 2010, and Chief of Police in Caddo Mills from 2010 to 2018. He later worked in the private sector but said he missed law enforcement and began searching for the right opportunity to return. He holds a Master Peace Officer Certification from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and has extensive training in emergency response, strategic planning, complex investigations, and organizational development. He is also a past president of the Texas Police Association.

Chief Barrett began easing into the role even before his official start date. Over the weekend, he arrived at the police station to fill out paperwork and move into his new office. The Olney Enterprise caught him hauling boxes with help from his wife, Nichole, a first-grade teacher in Nocona, and their grandson.

Chief Barrett said Nichole will finish the school year before joining him full-time. Until then, he will live in Round Timbers while searching for a permanent home in Olney.

He joked to the Enterprise that he might end up living at the police station—just as he had during his first two police-chief posts.

“I like making things better, so that is my goal,” he said.