Meet the Police

Sanger Police Chief

Waylan Rhodes

On November 30th of 2021, the City of Sanger, TX, announced Donald Waylan Rhodes as their new Chief of Police. Chief Rhodes was chosen from a pool of 38 qualified applicants from across the nation in a search for a successor to 36-year Sanger Veteran Chief Curtis Amyx.

Chief Rhodes began his career in law enforcement with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in June 1982. Over the course of his time in Harris County, he held several positions including patrol officer, warrant officer, crime suppression unit, community service officer, patrol sergeant, and S.W.A.T.

“I am honored to serve as the next Police Chief for the City of Sanger.”, said Rhodes. “I believe this is a place where I can have an immediate and positive impact. My experience has prepared me to lead this Police Department through the growth it will experience over the next five years and beyond.“

In late 2002, Rhodes accepted a School Resource Officer position with the Little Elm Police Department. In late 2003 he was promoted to Chief of Police where he served for nearly 12 years growing the department from 14 officers to 42 while the city population grew from 8,000 to 33,000 by 2015.

By mid-May of 2015, the Chief announced his retirement and moved back to Humble, Texas. After only a couple of months, he was coaxed out of retirement to serve as Interim Chief of Police for the Bastrop Independent School District. He later went on to serve as Chief of Police for the City of Silsbee, Texas, and as Captain with the Manvel Police Department in 2019. Most recently he was appointed as Interim Chief of Police for the City of Beeville as they conducted their search for a new full-time Chief.

Rhodes attended McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA, where he studied Criminal Justice. He holds certifications from Texas Law Enforcement Management Institute, FBI National Academy, FBI Command College, and TPCAF Executive Leadership.

Rhodes most recently served as the Interim Chief for the City of Beeville. Prior experience includes Chief of Police for Silsbee, TX, and Chief of Police in Little Elm, Texas.

Chief Rhodes has a beautiful wife that he credits much of his success to her support. Additionally, he has three children of his own (two boys and one girl) plus one step-daughter and the light of his life, a 12-year-old granddaughter. Chief’s first official day in Sanger was January 3.