Assistant Chief James Davis

Assistant Chief James Davis obtained his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston-Downtown.  He is a graduate of Northwestern University Center for Public Safety – Police Staff and Command. A native of Houston who has spent his entire career with SLPD, Davis joined the department in 1994 as a Patrol Officer. He was later promoted to Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain before assuming his current position as Assistant Chief. During his lengthy law enforcement career, he provided leadership for every SLPD bureau and division. Recently, Chief Davis attended FBI National Academy and graduated in September 2023.

Chief Davis has helped implement initiatives to increase police visibility, improve investigative clearance rates and expand crime analysis to identify resources necessary to address criminal trends. He also managed and created special enforcement teams to target and handle specific high-crime patterns throughout the city, data-driven efforts that directly contributed to Sugar Land’s historic low crime rate. He has provided leadership for the development of several new technology initiatives, including drone flight operations, K-9, e-policing crime notifications for citizens, body cameras for police officers and more.  He’s also provided leadership for regional and community partnerships such as a commercial vehicle enforcement program, event review committee, Citizen Assistance Support Team training, Children’s Advocacy Center, Ft. Bend County Narcotics Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  

During his career, he served as a Field Training Officer, a Field Training Supervisor, a Police Instructor in numerous disciplines and as East Fort Bend Regional SWAT Commander.  He has also led investigative teams, special operations, training, professional development, records and more. As a Lieutenant in 2009, he assumed command of the East Fort Bend Regional SWAT Team and secured more than a $1 million in grant funding for SWAT, assisted in the development of the patrol rifle program, and created the Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Unit.