CHIEF OF POLICE MAC TRISTAN
Mac Tristan was sworn in as Coppell Chief of Police on January 24, 2011. He came to Coppell after serving 29 ½ years with the City of Carrollton Police Department, leaving there as an Assistant Chief.
Chief Tristan received his Bachelor's Degree from Sam Houston State University, where he graduated with Honors. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute for Police, John F. Kennedy School Government, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the U.S. Army War College Strategic Implementation Seminar in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
Chief Tristan believes strongly in Problem Oriented Policing and Servant Leadership style of leadership and management. He not only teaches the subject, he has successfully implemented this philosophy in every bureau and department he has led, including the Coppell Police Department. He has worked with the Chinese National Police in Hangzhou, China and has lectured in Stockholm, Sweden with the Swedish National Police and as a speaker at the Stockholm Criminology Symposium. He continues to lecture on Leadership, Problem Oriented Policing, and the Servant Leadership style of Management.
mtristan@coppelltx.gov
972-304-3602
972-304-3535 (fax)
DEPUTY CHIEF JIM COOK
Jim Cook started his career with the Coppell Police Department in August of 1996. This was also his first job in the profession of law enforcement following several years in the private sector. He was hired as a Recruit Officer and subsequently graduated from the Dallas County Sheriff's Academy. During his ten years in the Patrol Division, Jim worked as a Field Training Officer and was promoted to the rank of Corporal. He was promoted to Sergeant and also served as the Patrol Division's Field Training Coordinator, a role he was very proud to attain and fulfill.
During the latter part of his tenure in the Patrol Division, Jim received and volunteered for special assignments for the benefit of the department. This led to his assignment as the department's first posting of an Administrative Sergeant. From a small beginning as a one-officer, then a two-officer division, Jim was subsequently promoted to Captain and assigned to the Administrative Division. At the time, the division was comprised of three sections: Administrative, Communications, and Animal Services with a total staff of twenty-three personnel.
Jim is a past graduate of Angelina College in Lufkin, TX where he received an Associate's Degree in management. Afterwards, he attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX where he studied criminal justice and public administration with a double major in both disciplines. He graduated with honors from SFA obtaining a Bachelor's Degree. Jim is a 2013 graduate of the University of North Texas in Denton, TX where he received his Master's Degree. His field of study was public administration with an emphasis on emergency management.
In addition to collegiate studies, Jim is a past graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police – Police Executive Research Forum, session 57 in Boston, MA. Jim is also a proud alumnus from the Center for American and International Law-Institute for Law Enforcement Administration in Plano, TX where he attended the 49th Management College in 2013. Jim is also a graduate of the City of Coppell's Succession through Effective Executive Development Academy.
Jim holds a Master Peace Officer certification, an Instructor's certificate, and a Firearms Instructor's certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Texas Police Chiefs Association, the North Texas Police Chiefs Association, the Urban Management Assistants of North Texas, and is an executive board member for the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration Alumni Association.
Jim is a proponent of Servant Leadership to facilitate leading, managing, and motivating the people and work teams he assists with in the department and the city. Jim also promotes the utilization of Problem-Oriented Policing to address crime issues and problem resolution.
jcook@coppelltx.gov
972-304-3596
972-304-3535 (fax)
DEPUTY CHIEF Danny barton
Danny Barton began his law enforcement career in 1991 with the Bryan Texas Police Department. While serving with the Bryan Police Department, Danny Barton served in the patrol division as a patrol officer, field training officer and accident investigator. In 1997, Danny accepted a position with the Coppell Police Department. Danny served in the patrol division prior to being assigned to the crime prevention division as a DARE officer and school resource officer.In 2001, Danny left law enforcement to assist his family with several family owned and operated businesses.
Danny Barton returned to the Coppell Police Department in 2006. He served in the criminal investigations unit as a detective until he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. He remained in the Investigations division until 2012 when he was promoted to Sergeant. Danny was assigned to the patrol division as a sergeant until 2015 when he promoted to the rank of Captain. As Patrol Captain, Danny oversaw patrol operations as well as the traffic and K9 units. Danny was promoted to the position of Deputy Chief in 2018.
Danny has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at Arlington. He also holds a Master Peace Officer certification and has attended the School of Police Supervision at the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration. As an instructor, Danny has taught Intermediate Child Abuse, High Risk Traffic Stops and is currently a certified Ethics Instructor.
dbarton@coppelltx.gov
972-304-3632
972-304-3535 (fax)
CAPTAIN BILL KNACK
Criminal Investigations Division Commander
Bill Knack began his career with the Coppell Police Department in 1996. Bill promoted through the ranks of the Coppell Police Department and began his career as a patrol officer where he worked as a Field Training Officer. After serving time in the patrol division, Bill accepted a position in the Criminal Investigations Division as a detective. Bill was later appointed to develop and create the Coppell Police Department's Organized Crime Unit which focused on narcotics activity and episodic criminal activity within the City Of Coppell. Bill was able to promote to a Corporal, then later a Sergeant over the Organized Crime Unit which evolved into a four person unit and a K9 Handler. As a Sergeant, Bill also spent time as a Task Force Officer assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration's North Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Unit.Bill is a past graduate of Eastfield College in Dallas, TX where he received an associate's degree in Criminal Justice. Bill continued his education and attended Lamar University where he graduated with honors obtaining his Bachelor Of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. He holds a Master Peace Officer License from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education and is a graduate of the United States Department of Justice Drug Unit Commanders Academy Class Number 70, the 64th Session of Senior Management Institute for Policing, and The Center For American And International Law's School of Executive Leadership.
Bill is an avid believer in the philosophy of Problem Oriented Policing and feels privileged to serve the wonderful citizens of Coppell.
wknack@coppelltx.gov
972-304-3587
972-304-3535 (fax)
CAPTAIN Eric debus
Patrol Division Commander
Eric began his career with the Coppell Police Department in 1995. After four years he was promoted to the rank of Corporal, and then to Sergeant. As a Sergeant with the department he spent three more years in patrol before moving to the traffic unit where he led the motor unit for nine years. Eric has also spent time as a sergeant in the Criminal Investigations Division, the Specialized Investigations unit, and the School Resource Officers unit.
Eric received his Bachelor of Science degree, with an emphasis in Law Enforcement, from the University of North Texas. He also holds a Master Peace Officer certification through TCOLE as well being a Certified Instructor. Eric is a City of Coppell STEM graduate and also is a Police Motorcycle Instructor.
Eric has been married to his wife Brenda for over twenty years and they have two children.
Eric believes in team building through customer service and enjoys serving the citizens of Coppell.
