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Jeff Hundley, pictured here with his spouse Quanah, was promoted to interim Cumby police chief during the city council’s Tuesday night meeting. Robertson was moved to the lieutenant position. Courtesy/Facebook
Robertson moved to lieutenant
After more than two hours of discussion in executive session, the Cumby City Council moved to demote police chief Paul Robertson to lieutenant and to promote Jeff Hundley to interim chief for a six-month period.
Robertson had faced criticism from city residents in the past for alleged mishandling of crashes and vehicle violations, and he was accused of using excessive force during Sebastian Wade’s arrest in March 2020. In the jail book-in report, it was noted Wade had injuries to his wrist, knees, face and collar bone.. Robertson claimed Wade was resisting being placed in handcuffs. Wade claimed Robertson had already cuffed him and then forced him to the ground. The News-Telegram requested body cam footage, but the request was denied.
This move comes after a September discussion about personnel matters, particularly those relating to dismissal of a public officer or employee. In that discussion, former city attorney Jay Garrett claimed only the mayor had the authority to dismiss, citing section 22.076 which stated “an elected marshal may not be removed from office.”
Sheryl Lackey, citing 22.071 and 22.077 which provide routes for dismissal on the basis of no confidence or misconduct, countered that. Lackey was elected to serve as alderman for place 1 in November, and Garrett was dismissed in December and replaced with Leigh Thompson.
According to his social media, Jeff Hundley became the lieutenant at Cumby Police Department in 2019 and has worked as an officer at Paris PD and Texas A&M University - Commerce.
“Congratulations to my son Jeff Hundley on his appointment to interim police chief for the city of Cumby,” Bob Hundley, the father of Jeff Hundley, posted on Facebook. “Go with God, and we love you.”
Jeff Hundley studied at Paris Junior College and TAMUC and currently lives in Commerce. His promotion comes with a pay increase to $23.50 per hour.