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 AULBAUGH
Chris Aulbaugh retired with the rank of Lieutenant from the Dallas Police Department in July of 2012 after 22 years of service.
During his tenure in Dallas Chris served as a Patrol Officer, Bicycle Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Homicide and Robbery Detective in CAPERS, Patrol Supervisor, Administrative Sergeant, FTO Coordinator, Jail Commander, Communications Commander, and as advisor in the Office of the Chief, Administrative and Accountability Unit. While in Dallas, Chris assisted with the coordination of the police response for the NBA playoffs and Superbowl. His last assignment in Dallas was as a Commander in the Crimes Against Persons Division.
Chris was sworn in as the Chief of Police for the Kaufman Police Department in July of 2012 where he served until joining the Coppell Police Department in August of 2013. Chris earned his Bachelor of Science in Administration of Criminal Justice and is completing his Master of Arts in Homeland Security. Prior to becoming a police officer, Chris served at a Reserve Officer for Kaufman PD and Seagoville PD.
Like Chief Tristan, Chris follows the philosophy of Servant Leadership and Problem Oriented Policing. Chris Aulbaugh is passionate about serving the citizens of Coppell and building a better community through public service.
caulbaugh@coppelltx.gov
972-304-3603
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 currently serves the Coppell Police Department as the Division Commander for the Administrative Division. Having started his career with CPD, Jim has ten years of experience in the Patrol Division, beginning as a Recruit Officer following his graduation from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Academy. During his time in the Patrol Division, Jim worked as a Field Training Officer and was promoted to the rank of Corporal. He was subsequently 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 man, then a two man division, Jim was subsequently promoted to Captain and assigned to the Administrative Division. The division is now 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 currently attending the University of North Texas in Denton, TX studying for his master’s degree. His field of study is public administration with an emphasis on emergency management.
Jim holds a Master Peace Officer certification, an Instructor’s certificate, and a Firearms Instructor’s certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. He is a member of the North Texas Police Chief’s Association, the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, the Texas Association of Hostage Negotiators, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International, the Urban Management Assistants of North Texas, and a charter member of Toastmasters Coppell.
jcook@coppelltx.gov
972-304-3596
972-304-3535 (fax)
CAPTAIN TONY PLETCHER
Administrative Division Commander
Tony Pletcher began his police career in August of 1995, here in the City of Coppell. He has promoted through the ranks to his current position of Captain. In his career, Captain Pletcher has worked in patrol, community services division, training and CID. He has specialized training in Accident Investigation, Firearms, and Special Weapons and Tactics. He is a graduate of the 250th Session of the FBI National Academy and the 55th Session of Senior Management Institute for Policing.
Captain Pletcher holds his Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Texas at Arlington. He has a Master Peace Officer License, Instructor License, and Firearms Instructor License through Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education. He is a SWAT Commander for the North Texas Metro SWAT Team.
Captain Pletcher is a strong advocate of organizations who support the survivors of officers killed in the line of duty and a member of Law Enforcement United. Every May since 2004, he rides his bicycle with a group of over 500 Police Officers from across the United States to support Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) and the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). The three day ride covers 250 miles and starts in Virginia Beach, VA. and ends in Washington DC.
tpletcher@coppelltx.gov
972-304-7085
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.
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 DANNY BARTON
Patrol Division Commander
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 oversees patrol operations as well as the traffic and K9 units.
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)