Katy Police Chief Noe Diaz will become the chief of the Houston Police Department on August 14, Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced in an August 2 press conference. Diaz will now head a department of over 6000 employees in the nation’s fourth largest city.

Katy Mayor William H. “Dusty” Thiele said in an August 2 press release that Diaz has been a remarkable public servant, dedicating his career to the safety and well-being of Katy. “Throughout his tenure, he has made significant improvements to the City of Katy Police Department, enhancing its efficiency, responsiveness, and community engagement,” Thiele said.

“We are immensely proud of his accomplishments and confident in the continued success of the City of Katy Police Department. The city’s loss is undoubtedly the City of Houston’s gain and we wish Chief Diaz all the best in his new role as the City of Houston Police Chief.”

Thiele did not grant additional interview and did not share further details about the department’s transition while a search for a new chief is underway. “We are committed to finding a new Police Chief who will uphold the high standards and values that Chief Diaz has installed in our police force,” his statement said.

City councilmembers expressed their support for Diaz on Facebook.

“Thank you, Chief Diaz, for all you did to ensure the safety of our residents,” said councilmember Janet Corte. “Best of luck with your new position as Chief of Houston Police Dept. They are fortunate to have you.”

Councilmember Rory Robertson said, “It has truly been an honor working with Chief Diaz over the last several years. I am very proud of all the progress he has made with our department.”

According to the KPD website, Diaz was hired as the Chief of Police for the Katy Police Department in March 2019. Prior to that time, he served as a correctional officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice from 1987 to 1994.

Diaz completed the University of Houston-Downtown Police Academy in 1994 and worked for the Harris County Precinct Five Constables Office, until 1996 when he was selected by the Texas Department of Public Safety to attend DPS Academy A-96. Upon completion of the DPS Academy, Diaz was assigned to the Katy Highway Patrol Office as Trooper.

In 2001, Diaz was promoted into the Narcotics Division of the State Police and was stationed in Houston. There Diaz was assigned to Harris County Organized Crime Task Force, HPD, ATF, DEA, and the FBI during his seven years as a Narcotics Sergeant.

In 2008, Diaz was appointed as a Texas Ranger and served in Rio Grande City, Texas briefly until returning to the Houston Office, where he was assigned as the Public Corruption Ranger for Company A (Greater Houston Area) for over ten years, working various high profile public corruption

investigations. Diaz was assigned to the FBI Public Corruption Border Task Force as a Task Force Officer and maintained top-secret clearance.

Diaz has over 6,800 Law Enforcement (TCOLE) training hours. He earned a bachelor’s of science in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston- Downtown, earning a scholarship from the 100 Club of Houston; Diaz also obtained a master’s of science in Criminology from Lamar University. He is a graduate of the 263rd FBI National Academy and FBI Texas Command College and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Texas Police Chief’s Association.