BELTON, Texas — The City of Belton has officially announced the appointment of its new police chief. During its regular council meeting Tuesday, Belton City Manager Sam Listi appointed Larry Berg, in which the Belton City Council members unanimously approved.
Berg, who currently serves as the Deputy Chief for the Belton Police Department, will assume the new role following Chief Gene Ellis’ retirement on Feb. 2, 2024. His annual salary will see a 12% increase, totaling $155,284, when he takes on the new role.
"I appreciate the confidence from Sam and the Belton City Council," Berg said through a news release following the official news. "I look forward to leading the great team of professionals at the Belton Police Department where we take seriously the police motto 'to protect and serve."
Berg served within the department for 27 years; the last seven as Deputy Chief. He is a graduate of the Leadership Command College at the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas and of the FBI National Academy.
He is also a United States Army veteran, where he served as a police officer while on active duty.
"Larry has been an integral part of the leadership team at the Belton Police Department," Listi said in the same news release. "His temperament and experience have prepared him to take on this new role and we look forward to his servant leadership."
While Ellis had a dual role as Assistant City Manager and being the department's top brass, Berg will solely take on the chief's role.
The city is in its early stages of searching for a Assistant City Manager.
