THE HARLINGEN CITY MANAGER, HARLINGEN CITY MAYOR AND FIVE HARLINGEN CITY COMMISSIONERS HAVE MAJOR EGG ON THEIR FACES AS FORMER CHIEF OF POLICE TOM WHITTEN TELLS CITY TO TAKE A HIKE!!!

FORMER HARLINGEN CHIEF OF POLICE TOM WHITTEN BALES OUT

EGG ON FACE STARTS AT 1:08:08-1:17:20 IN VIDEO

Harlingen starts Chief search again

Harlingen City Manager Carlos Yerena will continue to look for a police chief as Tom Whitten declined to accept the position he held for two years.

According to a statement, former police chief Whitten will not be returning to the Harlingen Police Department.

“After significant personal and professional deliberation, I am unable to accept your offer,” Whitten said in a statement. “I wish you continued success. Thank you so very much for all your support and understanding and please relay my apologies.”

All five members of The Harlingen City Commission voted to offer Whitten his old position, along with the salary he was originally earning, to Whitten April 2nd.

Whitten began working for the city as chief in July 2011.

The statement said Whitten resigned as police chief back in December 6, 2013 citing family reasons as he became commander of jail administration and support for the El Paso County Sheriff’s office.

Stephen Mayer will continue as Interim Police Chief for Harlingen.

Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell said in a statement the city will not be in a rush to start looking to officially fill the police chief position because “the department is functioning well and it’s important to find the best possible candidate for the job.”

BELOW IS ONE OF MANY COMMENTS ON A LOCAL BLOG POSTED BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION VOTED TO RE-HIRE WHITTEN ON APRIL 2, 2014

mondo glowvis on April 1, 2014 at 4:11 pm

whitten is a journeyman law officer continually looking for a new job with more pay. when he was here last time he was paid over $20,000 for travel expenses to “workshops and seminars.” In reality he was applying for jobs all over the country using Harlingen taxpayers money to finance his job hunt. He quit us once before, what makes you think he won’t jump ship if a better job comes along in a few months. Wise up Mezmer, Leal, and Chino!