KILLEN — Longtime Killen police officer Bryan Hammond has been promoted to the department’s chief.

Killen Mayor Tim Tubbs said the City Council also promoted officer Dennis Tate to sergeant.

Hammond has worked for the department for 17 years, with the first two being served as a reserve officer.

“Bryan has been with the department for a long time and has done a good job,” Tubbs said. “He deserves his shot at running the department.”

Hammond, 43, fills the position left vacant when the council opted on Nov. 6 not to reappoint former Police Chief Mark Parker. The job has an annual salary of $45,000.

Hammond said he’s excited about the challenge.

“We have a good group of guys with several years of experience, and that really helps,” Hammond said. “They know their jobs. They have always done their jobs, and I expect them to continue to do that.”

The department had five members before Parker’s termination. Tubbs said the council decided to stay with a four-person department at this time.

“This should be a little cost saving for the town,” Tubbs said.

Hammond said the department has operated with four officers in the past.

“We can do it again,” he said. “I will add some duties to the officers, but it’s not something we can’t work through.”

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.