The Magnolia Police Department (MPD) filled its two vacant officer positions after the firing of Jorge Anez and Jose Valdez.

At the city council held July 12, Police Chief Domingo Ibarra and Sgt. Jose Lopez introduced two new officers and two new reserve officers to members of council.

Pictured (from left to right) are Officer James Senegal, Officer Kyle Montgomery, Sgt. Jose Lopez, Reserve Officer Scott Sugg, Reserve Officer Harry Holman, Officer Elias Diaz and Reserve Officer Carlos Menchaca.

Officer Kyle Montgomery previously worked for the Montgomery Police Department. Prior to that, Montgomery had worked for the Magnolia PD.

Officer James Senegal previously worked for the Hempstead Police Department.

Reserve Officers Scott Sugg came to MPD from the Waller County Pct. 2 Constable’s Office and Reserve Officer Carlos Menchaca came from Harris County Pct. 7 Constable’s Office.

Lopez stated that the department conducted interviews and feels that they have “elected the best of the best.”

The two officer positions became available after the firing of Anez and Valdez.

At the June 14 city council meeting, council accepted Ibarra’s decision to fire the two officers.

The nature of the termination of the officers was listed under at-will status, according to MPD documents.

According to the documents, at-will status means that officers working for MPD have not entered into a contract regarding employment with the department. Therefore, officers are free to terminate their employment with MPD at any time. In addition, MPD has the right to terminate employment, discipline or demote officers at any time without reason, at the discretion of MPD and the chief of police.

City Administrator Paul Mendes said at-will employment is for the protection of the officer and the department. Mendes also stated that in situations related to at-will, it doesn’t necessarily mean the officers were involved in any misconduct.

“They (the department) just might not want you anymore,” he said.

Documents also note that there was no final incident that led to the firing of the two officers and no prior warning or advance notice was given.

Ibarra said both officers were released with an honorable discharge.

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