Henderson's New Police Chief Coming From Texas

Henderson has a new police chief. Her name is LaTesha Watson and she is currently the deputy chief of the Arlington, Texas police department. When she was named deputy chief in 2014, she was the youngest person ever named to that post.

City Manager Bob Murnane made the announcement Friday. Her appointment still has to be ratified by the mayor and city council.

"Latesha Watson brings proven leadership skills, extensive law enforcement experience and a vision for building on the success of the Henderson Police Department to the role of Police Chief," Murnane said in a statement. "As the next leader of our police force, her number one job will be making sure Henderson remains one of the safest cities in America.

"We look forward to welcoming her to Henderson and to the innovative new ideas she will bring to the department from her more than two decades in the law enforcement field and strong academic background."

Watson, who started her law enforcement career with the Hutchins, Texas police department in 1994, is also an academic. (For more information on the fatal punch case and other Las Vegas stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

She has a Ph.D. in Management and Organizational Leadership, a Master of Science in Criminology and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

Watson is currently working on a second PhD in International Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Murnane says that she is also an accomplished researcher who has studied police management, the history of policing and diversity issues in law enforcement.

Watson was selected from among nearly 90 people who applied for the position after former Chief Patrick Moers left the department.

Watson is married with two children.

Photo via the city of Arlington, Texas