HOUSTON – Former Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner has been hired as the new police chief of Missouri City, according to an email sent by the city manager on Monday.
Finner abruptly retired from his role with HPD in 2024, saying he had been “pushed out” during one of the most significant controversies in the department’s history.
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Missouri City sent 2 Investigates a press release announcing Finner’s hiring.
“Chief Finner brings the leadership experience, judgment, and professionalism needed to lead the Missouri City Police Department and serve this community effectively,” City Manager Angel Jones said in the statement.
Missouri City officials also addressed Finner’s exit from HPD, saying they had conducted a “thorough review” of Finner’s qualifications and fit for the role.
“While Missouri City does not minimize the seriousness of those matters, the City’s decision was based on its assessment of his extensive experience and his ability to lead the department forward,” the statement read.
The full statement is available at the bottom of this article.
The HPD Scandal
In February 2024, then-Houston Police Chief Finner revealed that more than 4,000 sexual assault cases—along with over 264,000 incident reports—had been suspended rather than investigated.
As a result, victims were left unaware that their cases were no longer being pursued. It was only after the practice became public that the city began notifying those impacted.
Finner said at the time that he first learned about the suspended cases in 2021 and directed the practice to stop.
“November of 2021 was the first time I have ever heard of a case management code system labeled as Suspended Lack of Personnel,” Finner told 2 Investigates in 2024.
However, an internal document obtained by 2 Investigates showed that Finner had been made aware of the coding used in these cases as early as 2018.
The document contained an email, dated July 20, 2018, in which Finner responded to a conversation regarding the “SL” code being used, calling it “unacceptable.”
READ MORE: Email appears to indicate Houston Police Chief Troy Finner knew of suspended cases in 2018
“It’s something that I didn’t know about, and I definitely didn’t remember that,” Finner told KPRC 2’s Mario Diaz after the email was revealed in 2024.
Investigators also uncovered discrepancies in what was reported to Internal Affairs.
The scandal ultimately led to a sweeping restructuring of HPD leadership, described by law enforcement sources as one of the largest management shifts in department history due to the number of demotions and retirements that followed.
RELATED: Chief removed from HPD Executive Team in aftermath of investigation into suspended cases
Missouri City’s Hiring Process
On Monday, KPRC 2 began seeking comment from Missouri City Mayor Robin Elackatt and City Manager Angel Jones regarding Finner’s hiring. Neither responded to requests for comment.
The following questions were sent to Jones, with Mayor Elackatt copied, but went unanswered as of Tuesday morning:
- How does former Chief Finner’s controversial departure bring confidence to you in consideration for the top spot?
- There has been no public mention—at least that we can identify—of former Chief Finner’s candidacy. Why? (If this is an oversight on our behalf, can you please share with us the city’s public announcement of candidates for chief?)
- Who is on the committee to select the next police chief?
- What do you have to say to residents of Missouri City about his candidacy considering his departure from HPD and the lack of investigation of sexual assault cases?
Later Monday afternoon, Jones sent an email to city employees announcing Finner’s hiring, praising his more than 30 years of “distinguished law enforcement experience.”
It remains unclear whether the hire has been formally approved by the Missouri City Council.
The council is scheduled to meet on April 20—the same day Finner is slated to begin his new role.
FULL STATEMENT FROM MISSOURI CITY
The City of Missouri City is pleased to announce the appointment of Troy Finner as its next Chief of Police.
Chief Finner brings more than three decades of law enforcement experience. Throughout his distinguished career, he advanced through the ranks of one of the nation’s largest police organizations, earning a reputation for professionalism, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to public service.
“Chief Finner brings the leadership experience, judgment, and professionalism needed to lead the Missouri City Police Department and serve this community effectively,” said City Manager Angel Jones.
As part of the selection process, the City conducted a thorough review of Chief Finner’s qualifications, leadership background, and overall fit for the position. This evaluation focused on the experience, judgment, professionalism, and leadership capacity required to effectively lead the Missouri City Police Department and serve the community.
The City is aware of the circumstances regarding Chief Finner’s departure from the City of Houston. While Missouri City does not minimize the seriousness of those matters, the City’s decision was based on its assessment of his extensive experience and his ability to lead the department forward.
Mayor Robin J. Elackatt stated, “We are confident that Chief Finner brings the experience, leadership, and commitment necessary to guide our Police Department forward. His dedication to public service and his vision for strengthening community trust align with the values of Missouri City. I look forward to the positive impact he will have on public safety and community engagement.”
Chief Finner’s start date is April 20, 2026.