Chief of Police

Chief of Police David Perkins began his career at the age of 18 in 1987 as a reserve police officer, working alongside his father, who was the chief of police with the Port Aransas Police Department. He continued to be a reserve officer with PAPD. At the same time, he honorably served his country in the United States Air Force from 1987-1991 as a security policeman (law enforcement), now officially called the security forces. After his successful military commitment ended, he began full-time law enforcement employment.

During his law enforcement career, he has gained experience in small and large-sized police departments and municipal and county law enforcement agencies. He has experience in several divisions including patrol, criminal investigations, and administratively as an assistant chief of police and progressively rose through the ranks in these departments to reach the pinnacle as chief of police, proudly serving the citizens of George West as their police chief for six plus years and a successful one-year stint as the assistant city manager. Chief Perkins has spent the last three decades dedicating his adult life to public service.

During his tenure with GWPD, Chief Perkins was recognized for his leadership and was named supervisor of the year, and he played a pivotal part in the administration during this time. Chief Perkins briefly retired and began teaching at the Del Mar College Regional Police Academy before realizing he missed the camaraderie of law enforcement and the challenges of being a police chief. He returned to the George West Police Department in 2020 to resume his leadership role as chief and, at one point, as the assistant city manager to assist in the day-to-day operations of that City. On March 10th, 2025, Chief Perkins became the 6th chief of police for the City of Aransas Pass, where he had previously been the assistant chief of police before departing for the George West police chief position.

Chief Perkins holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Tarleton State University and an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Del Mar College. He is a Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas Leadership Command College graduate, Class #79 (Sam Houston State University). He also holds a master peace officer license issued through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), is a TCOLE instructor, and is a TCOLE firearms instructor.

“It takes unity, not division, for community policing to succeed. We must have common goals. If not, we will fail as a team, a department, a City, and, ultimately, as a community. Unity with our community is gained through partnerships with our citizens and stakeholders, continually seeking to improve the quality of life. Within those parameters, the police department will enforce the laws we are sworn to uphold with compassion, empathy, and consistency.”