City Council Appoints New Police Chief
Police Chief Clifford Woitena has served with LCPD since 1999
City Council appointed Clifford Woitena as LCPD's new Chief of Police at the September 12 City Council meeting. Chief Woitena previously served as Assistant Police Chief. His appointment follows the retirement of former Police Chief Gary Ratliff in June.
Education & Accolades
Chief Woitena began his career with LCPD in 1999 and has a Master Peace Officer License from the State of Texas. Chief Woitena also has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Midwestern State University, a master’s degree in Leadership and Management from Sam Houston State University, a graduate certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia, is a graduate of the 89th class of the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas, and is a graduate of the 258th session of the FBI’s National Academy. He has received 3 Medals of Valor from the League City Police Department, an Officer of the Year Award for Heroism from the 100 Club of Houston, and an Officer of the Year Award from the League City Citizens Police Academy.
Time with LCPD
During his tenure with the organization, Chief Woitena has served in numerous roles including: K9 Officer, Field Training Officer, Maritime Safety Enforcement Officer, Bicycle Patrol Officer, Firearms/Tactics Instructor, Certified Mental Health Officer, Honor Guard Member, and a Galveston County Auto Crimes Task Force agent. He has also served in various supervisory positions within the Operations and Support Services Bureaus. One constant within his career with LCPD has been his 19-year assignment to the agency’s special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team. Chief Woitena has served in almost every capacity on the team, culminating in his appointment as the overall Commander for the Combined Agency Response Team (CART) for League City, Alvin, and Pearland. He left CART upon appointment to the position of Interim Chief of Police in June.
Additional Experience
Chief Woitena is a nationally recognized instructor for the ALERRT Center (since 2005) and the Safariland Training Group (since 2009). He teaches active shooter response, forced entry operations, firearms, high-risk operations, patrol tactics, and leadership. Chief Woitena is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and proudly completed his service, attaining the rank of Sergeant.
Chief Woitena values the opportunity to serve the men and women of the League City Police Department and is honored to have spent his career serving such a wonderful community. Of his many accomplishments, he is most proud of his role as a husband and father to four wonderful children.