Harlingen Police Department

Michael Kester became a member of the Harlingen Police Department on February 5, 1990. Chief  Kester has over 31 years of service with the Harlingen Police Department with more than 18 years  in an executive leadership role. The Harlingen Police Department is the only department in which he has worked.  

Chief Kester started his career in February of 1990 and rose through the ranks of the Department during his service. He promoted to Sergeant in October of 1993 and in 2001 he promoted to  Lieutenant. Two years later Kester made Captain which was re-titled to Deputy Chief in 2012. In  2011 Chief Kester served as Interim Chief of the Harlingen Police Department for six months. In  December of 2015 Chief Kester was appointed to the Assistant Chief-Chief of Staff position. Chief  Kester was appointed to Chief of Police on May 15th, 2019. 

Chief Kester has worked and/or supervised in almost all areas of the Department to include the  Patrol Division, City Jail, Training, Records, Support Services and Criminal Investigations  Division. Chief Kester has been the Chief of Staff overseeing the full operations of the Department  which includes 140 sworn officers and 45 civilian personnel. 

Chief Kester is married to his wife Debora and they have 4 children and 10 grandchildren. 

• Chief Kester is a graduate of Unity College in Maine with a Bachelor of Science Degree  in 1988. 

• Chief Kester is a Graduate of the 53rd Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas  (LEMIT) Bill Blackwood Leadership Command College at Sam Houston State University  2006. 

• Chief Kester Graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Certified Public  Manager Program in December of 2019.