From Chief to City Hall | Jim Devlin on Leadership | Part 1 of 2
From Chief to City Hall, Jim Devlin on Leadership, Part 1
In this episode of The Clear Voice, James Groom sits down with Jim Devlin, Assistant City Manager for the City of Hewitt, Texas, for a conversation about leadership, public service, organizational culture, and the transition from police leadership to city administration.
Jim spent nearly three decades in law enforcement, including more than a decade as Chief of Police, before stepping into the assistant city manager role. His career path offers a practical look at how leadership skills developed in public safety can translate into broader municipal executive leadership.
Leadership Starts with Accountability
A central theme of the conversation is accountability. Jim explains that accountability cannot be one sided. Leaders who expect high standards from their teams must be willing to hold themselves to the same standard.
That approach shaped his leadership style throughout his career. Rather than relying on intimidation or command presence alone, Jim describes the importance of building people up, correcting mistakes directly, and helping employees understand the larger mission of the organization.
The episode also explores the lasting impact of mentorship. Jim shares a story from earlier in his career when a police chief corrected him after a serious mistake, but did so in a way that preserved his dignity and helped him grow. That moment became a leadership lesson Jim carried forward for the rest of his career.
Building Stronger Organizations Through Culture
Jim discusses his move to Hewitt and why he was attracted to an organization that needed change. The department had recently adopted civil service, was facing internal challenges, and needed strong leadership to help move the organization forward.
For Jim, that challenge was part of the appeal.
He talks about the importance of finding people inside the organization who are ready for improvement, empowering employees to help solve problems, and building systems that make the organization stronger over time.
That work included civil service implementation, scheduling changes, employee engagement, media relations, public information practices, and stronger community connection. Over time, those efforts helped reshape the department’s culture and improve its relationship with the community.
Community Trust Requires Intentional Communication
The conversation also highlights the role of communication in public trust. Jim explains that when he arrived in Hewitt, the city and department were still operating with a more traditional “no comment” mindset when dealing with the media.
He saw an opportunity to build better relationships with local media and communicate more clearly with the public.
That shift helped the department tell its story, promote community programs, and create stronger connections with residents. Programs like National Night Out, Citizens Police Academy, and drug take back efforts became tools for building trust and showing the community who their officers were beyond the uniform.
Succession Planning and the Next Step in Leadership
Part 1 closes with Jim discussing his transition from police chief to assistant city manager. He explains that while he once assumed he would retire as a police chief, conversations about succession planning and organizational leadership opened the door to a new opportunity.
That move required a different mindset.
As chief, Jim was the subject matter expert for his department. As assistant city manager, he now supports the city manager, works with department directors, and continues learning about every part of the municipal organization.
His transition reflects a broader point for local government leaders. Strong police chiefs, fire chiefs, finance directors, public works directors, and other department heads often develop leadership skills that can serve the entire organization. The challenge is being willing to keep learning, support others, and lead beyond the boundaries of one department.
Listen to the Full Conversation
This is Part 1 of a two part conversation with Jim Devlin. In this episode, he shares practical leadership lessons on accountability, mentorship, culture change, community trust, and the move from police chief to city hall.
About The Clear Voice Podcast
The Clear Voice is a dedicated platform for transparency and expert led dialogue within the professional and public sectors. The show serves as a vital resource for leaders who want to move past surface level discussions and dive into the real world mechanics of governance, management, and organizational growth. James Groom is the host of the program. As the Vice President of Clear Career Professionals and a retired Police Chief, James brings a unique, high stakes perspective to every conversation. His background in public service and executive leadership allows him to extract practical, actionable insights from industry experts that help modern organizations function with total clarity.
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About Clear Career Professionals
Clear Career Professionals is a specialized recruitment and strategic consulting firm focused on the public sector. We believe that the strength of any municipality or school district lies in the quality of its leadership and the cohesion of its teams.Our team is comprised of former practitioners and retired executives who understand the nuances of public service. We provide organizations with more than just a list of candidates; we provide the strategic oversight and expertise necessary to navigate transitions, maximize taxpayer funds, and implement long term solutions.
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