KLEIN – Chief Marlon Runnels of the Klein ISD Police Department was sworn in on Jan. 26, 2026, as President of the Houston Area Police Chiefs Association (HAPCA), a regional coalition of law enforcement leaders from agencies of all sizes across the greater Houston area.
His election recognizes a collaborative approach to public safety and years of service to Klein ISD and partner agencies.
“Serving as HAPCA President is both an honor and an important responsibility,” Klein ISD Police Chief Marlon Runnels said. “I look forward to working with chiefs from agencies large and small to strengthen partnerships, share training and best practices, and ensure our collective focus remains on protecting the schools and communities we serve. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues in Klein ISD and throughout the region as we take on this work together.”
HAPCA brings together local school district police departments as well as county, state, and federal partners to share resources and ideas, advance public safety, and build strong relationships among agencies. With Chief Runnels in this leadership role, Klein ISD Police will continue to contribute to and learn from regional best practices that support safe schools and neighborhoods.
“Chief Runnels is an outstanding leader whose dedication to student and staff safety is unmatched,” Superintendent Dr. Jenny McGown said. “His election as HAPCA President strengthens our district’s ability to learn from and contribute to best practices across law enforcement, and it underscores our ongoing commitment to the safety and well-being of every student and staff member. We are so blessed to have Chief Runnels at the helm of our safety efforts in Klein ISD, and we congratulate him on being selected to lead in this way.”
Klein ISD Police Department officers joined colleagues from across the region to support Chief Runnels at the swearing-in ceremony.
Chief Runnels is a proud Marine and began his law enforcement career in 2001 as a detention officer with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department. He has served with multiple police agencies across greater Houston and joined Klein ISD Police in 2008, working in campus and patrol roles and as a sergeant. In 2017, he served as Chief of the Montgomery ISD Police Department.
Chief Runnels returned home to Klein ISD in 2020 as assistant chief and was promoted by Dr. McGown to Chief of Police in 2022. He is a Master Peace Officer, Police Instructor, ALERRT Instructor, SBLE Instructor, an FBINAA Command College graduate, and an FBI-LEEDA Trilogy recipient.
Klein ISD congratulates Chief Runnels on this milestone and looks forward to the continued positive impact of his leadership across the region.
