Todd Henry replaces Darren Pytel for the Davis Police Department
By PIPER AWEEKA — city@theaggie.org
On Nov. 19, the Davis City Council shared a heartfelt goodbye to former Police Chief Darren Pytel and welcomed new Chief of Police Todd Henry. After 41 years of service to the Davis Police Department, Pytel was recognized for his outstanding leadership and compassionate approach to the job.
Davis Mayor Josh Chapman began the meeting by sharing the city proclamation for the former police chief. In his speech, Chapman highlighted Pytel’s employment in the Davis Police Department starting at age 14. Pytel followed Chapman’s speech by sharing his own reflections on a long, successful career and his appreciation for the Davis Police Department.
“I’ve truly, truly enjoyed working with the members of the police department,” Pytel said. “It’s been a pleasure. A true pleasure.”
Chapman then called upon fellow council members to share their farewells. City Councilwoman Donna Neville contributed her sentiment for Pytel’s years of service to the city of Davis.
“I am just deeply indebted to where you have run your department, to the compassionate way that you engage in policing,” Neville said. “It’s a model for how policing should be done, and I’m deeply grateful for that.”
Following farewells from the council members, Jean Lyon, the deputy director of police services for the city of Davis, shared a word of her own.
“When I think of the work that you’ve put in over the years, there’s two words that come to mind, and the first one is leadership […] I learned to listen and allow people to be heard,” Lyon said. “The second word is legacy […] I’m truly grateful you left the department better off than when you found it.”
After a hug between Pytel and City Manager Mike Webb, the swearing-in ceremony for Todd Henry commenced. Standing face to face, Pytel swore in Henry as Davis’ new Chief of Police. Following a handshake between the two men, Henry shared his regard for Pytel and his intentions for his new role in the department.
“How he has always put this community first has been nothing short of inspirational, and it’s been a guide to me as to how I should be a police chief and how I need to lead the police department within the city of Davis,” Henry said. “What I can promise this council and this community and the police department is I will absolutely embrace this job with everything that I have, my heart and soul.”
Together, the council stated their unanimous faith in Henry’s ability to fill the hole left in Pytel’s wake. An emphasis was drawn on the new chief of police’s compassion for his family, all of whom were in attendance that night. Webb voiced his own certainty about Henry being the perfect candidate for the position.
“The decision to hire executive team members within our ranks are not decisions that are made lightly, and sometimes they’re not easy ones,” Webb said. “But I will tell you, the appointment of Chief Henry to our police chief job was probably the easiest decision I’ve been able to make as a city manager. You’re going to do great things for this community, for the department. You’re going to continue the legacy of Chief Pytel in many ways, and in many ways, you’re going to have your own flavor in your own assessment and your own twist on things and how you do chief right […] I have no doubt that you will be extremely successful in doing that.”
Written By: Piper Aweeka — city@theaggie.org
