TEMPLE, TX (March 20, 2026) - The City of Temple has narrowed its search for a new police chief to four finalists: Allen Teston, Carrie White, Coy Brown, and Vrail George.
The city partnered with Public Sector Search and Recruiting to assist with the search, which drew 32 applicants from eight states, including 22 from Texas.
Candidates underwent a thorough vetting process that included a comprehensive questionnaire, virtual interviews, an extensive media review, and a background investigation.
Community members will have an opportunity to meet the finalists at a public meet-and-greet event.
WHAT: Temple Police Chief Meet-and-Greet
WHEN: Tuesday, March 31 from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Temple Police Department Lobby, located at 209 E. Ave A
Finalists will participate in in-person interviews with city leadership, community members, and members of the police department on March 30th.
Read more about the candidates below:
Allen Teston
Allen M. Teston is a seasoned law enforcement executive with three decades of public safety service and extensive leadership experience across investigative, administrative, and operational divisions. He currently serves as the Interim Chief of Police for the Temple Police Department, where he oversees daily operations and departmental divisions while ensuring continuity of services during a period of organizational transition. Prior to his appointment as Interim Chief, Teston served as Deputy Chief of Police of the Administration Bureau, where he directed key departmental functions including professional standards, communications, records, training, and fleet operations. Earlier in his career, he commanded the Criminal Investigations Bureau, supervising investigative units responsible for violent crimes, narcotics investigations, property crimes, and crime scene operations. His leadership responsibilities have included personnel management, budget oversight, project coordination, and policy development aimed at strengthening organizational readiness and community trust.
Teston began his career with the Temple Police Department in 1999 and advanced through the ranks from officer to senior command-level leadership. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a focus on Organizational Law Enforcement Leadership from American Military University.
Carrie White
Carrie White is a law enforcement executive with more than 25 years’ experience and over 17 years in supervisory and command-level leadership positions. She currently serves as Chief of Police for the City of Forney, Texas, where she leads a department of more than 77 sworn and civilian employees and oversees an annual operating budget of approximately $18 million. Since assuming the role in 2022, Chief White led major organizational initiatives to improve recruiting and promotional processes and restructure the department to emphasize crime prevention and community policing. Chief White spent nearly 22 years with the North Richland Hills Police Department, where she rose through the ranks to serve as Captain and later Assistant Chief, overseeing patrol operations, professional standards, and community engagement initiatives.
White holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and criminology from Niagara University. She is also a graduate of PERF’s Senior Management Institute for Police.
Coy Brown
Coy Brown has nearly two decades of progressive policing experience and more than a decade serving in supervisory and command-level leadership roles. He currently serves as Police Commander with the Cedar Park Police Department, where he provides leadership to more than 155 sworn and civilian personnel and helps oversee a department budget exceeding $25 million. Brown directs major operational and support functions including patrol, criminal investigations, training, communications, internal affairs, and community services. Throughout his career Brown has led complex investigations, directed multi-jurisdictional critical incident responses, and implemented policies designed to enhance accountability, officer safety, and organizational efficiency.
Brown is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, PERF’s Senior Management Institute for Police, and the Leadership Command College. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Concordia University -Texas and is currently completing a master’s degree in public safety at the University of Virginia.
Vrail George Jr.
Vrail George Jr. is a veteran law enforcement leader with more than 27 years of leadership experience, including over two decades in policing and service in the United States Marine Corps. He currently serves as Commander of the Major Assaults Division with the Waco Police Department, where he oversees investigative operations involving homicides, shootings, robberies, and other serious violent crimes. George has served in a wide range of leadership roles, including Special Victims Division Commander, Management Services Section Commander, and Patrol Commander. His leadership responsibilities have included supervision of specialized investigative units, oversight of SWAT and crisis response operations, management of personnel recruitment and training programs, and administration of departmental strategic initiatives. Before entering law enforcement, George served in the United States Marine Corps, where he deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and achieved the rank of Sergeant.