PALESTINECHAMBER . ORG 43
Chief Harcrow ’ s heart lies in his hometown By PennyLynn Webb
The role of Palestine Police Chief is personal to
Mark Harcrow . The 2006 Palestine High School graduate started his career as a patrol officer in May 2009 , while earning a bachelor ’ s degree in criminology from the University of Texas at Arlington .
Harcrow rose quickly through the ranks , especially under former Chief Andy Harvey , who promoted him to captain and then assistant chief . Harcrow served as interim police chief after Harvey resigned in October 2019 .
The Palestine City Council members unanimously approved making Harcrow the city ’ s permanent police chief after a strong showing of community support .
Harcrow has found there are both advantages and disadvantages of becoming police chief in his own hometown .
“ I ’ ve found that it ’ s much more difficult to be a police chief in your hometown ,” he said . “ You ’ re held to a different standard . If Joe Blow becomes chief here , he can roll out of town when it ’ s all over and doesn ’ t owe anyone anything .
With me , it ’ s different . I know all these people . They ’ re friends , people I love , family – people I ’ ve had lifelong relationships with . When these are the people holding me accountable , it ’ s tougher .”
Harcrow said he feels responsible for their well-being and quality-of-life .
“ The community drive to name me chief was very flattering , but there ’ s a ton of pressure that comes with that ,” he said . “ If there ’ s a crime spree , it ’ s personal . So that ’ s the challenge . That ’ s the stuff I think about at night when I ’ m in bed , staring at the ceiling .”
Harcrow said he is grateful for the opportunity to serve a community he loves in the capacity of chief . Something he wasn ’ t sure would ever be an option .
“ When I came to work at the police department , the unspoken assumption was that it was not an option to become chief ,” he said “ You might make it to captain , but you ’ re not going to be the chief . The last internal chief was in 1997 , and he wasn ’ t from Palestine . He worked his way up the ranks , but moved on a couple of years later . I think the last Palestine native to become chief was in 1979 .”
There have been several challenges thrown at the new chief in his first year , including the COVID-19 pandemic .
Recruiting has been another issue . Harcrow leads 40 officers and oversees an annual budget of roughly $ 4.5 million .
“ Recruiting in law enforcement has gotten so competitive , with signing bonuses and other incentives ,” Harcrow said . “ In the past , we haven ’ t been able to fill open slots . This isn ’ t Dallas . I don ’ t expect to be able to compete with Tyler , or larger cities like that . But we have cities like Athens , with a population of about 13,000 , beating us out on pay . Our starting pay is about $ 41,800 a year ; Athens is $ 46,655 , plus a $ 3,000 signing bonus , and it is a smaller city .