HITCHCOCK — The dean of Galveston County police chiefs is set to retire next month. Glenn Manis, the city’s police chief for about 20 years, is leaving police work to fly helicopters.
Manis’ last day on the job will be Dec. 4, the outgoing chief said.
Manis took the helm of the Hitchcock Police Department after working on the Galveston County Narcotics Task Force. When that special unit was disbanded, there was an opening for chief in the small town nuzzled on state Highway 6.
“The personnel here have always been good and the community has been great to me,” Manis said.
Manis, who turns 57 next week, said he was offered a job to fly helicopters for an offshore oil service company and lept at the chance.
He’s held a commercial pilot’s license since before coming to work for Hitchcock.
In addition to being a pilot, Manis is an avid fan of wrestling, a pastime he would spend evenings with his son watching on television.
Manis’ tenure in Hitchcock has not always been smooth.
In what he said was a budget move, former Mayor Lee Sander forced Manis to take on patrol duties in 2004 after at first trying to eliminate the chief’s position altogether and to manage the department from city hall.
The chief weathered the five years of double duty until Anthony Matranga reversed that decision when he became mayor in May.
Matranga said Manis’ retirement from police work caught him by surprise, but he wished his chief well.
“After all, he has been here for 19½ years and he has been a good friend,” Matranga said. “I am hoping he does well.”
Matranga said the city commission approved hiring former Hitchcock Police Chief Clay Kenelley as interim chief.
The city will start its search for a new chief on Monday and will accept applications through Jan. 8, the mayor said.
Kenelley, who was Hitchcock chief in the 1980s, may be considered for the job, if he applies Matranga said.
No matter who applies, Matranga reiterated he wants to improve the image of the police department and make it “a professional organization.”
