Flores fronts force

By Breyana Segura - Chief Staff Writer | August 25, 2022

Interim chief officially promoted to lead police department

Newly hired Police Chief Daniel Flores was sworn into office on Tuesday, August 9 during a council meeting. Flores was pinned by his aunt, Louisa Martinez. (Courtesy photo)

Daniel Flores, who was serving as the interim police chief since May, was promoted to the top position at the Pearsall Police Department earlier this month.
Flores was one of six officers among the pool of candidates vying for the job left vacant by Humberto Torralba II, who left the department in late May.
During a brief interview with the police chief this week, he vowed to ensure the department would continue to build trust between law enforcement and the community.
“I do not believe we ever lost the relationship with the community,” Flores said. “But, I do believe that we can make our bond stronger that it has ever been. Trust is the foundation to every relationship, regardless the type.”
The police chief firmly believes the goals of the department align with those of the citizens, which is community safety.
“We ask that the community trust that the decisions we make are in the best interest of the public,” he stated.
A 2004 Uvalde High School graduate, the chief worked various jobs that never seem to fulfill his biggest desire in life – to help those in need.
Some six years later, in 2010, Flores graduated from the Middle Rio Grande Law Enforcement Academy where he earned his basic peace officer certification. Before beginning his career with the Pearsall Police Department during the summer of 2011, the newly hired chief served a short stint in Dimmit County.
Over the past 11 years, the chief has attended a number of trainings acquiring several certifications that include pressure point control techniques, tire deflation deployment and intoxilyzer operator.
Former Police Chief Henry A. Martinez hired Flores as a patrolmen, a position he excelled in quickly and was soon promoted to a field training officer than patrol sergeant in 2016.
“Over the years I have learned a tremendous amount from my supervisors and colleagues,” the chief said. “As a field training officer I was faced with the great responsibility of teaching new officers how to perform the job in real time, under real scrutiny.”
Flores used his knowledge of guiding new officers when he became the patrol sergeant. During his tenure as a sergeant, Flores was tasked with leading officers to deal with night time crime that saw an uptick in the drug trade and burglaries.
“I do not have a management philosophy but I do have a leadership philosophy,” Flores said modestly. “I believe in leading by example and doing what is right one-hundred percent of the time.”
Through his years of service in the community, the police chief has developed relationships with surrounding agencies such as the Frio County Sheriff’s office and the Dilley Police Department. These relationships, according to Flores, are a key to ensure the safety and peace of residents.
“What sets me apart from many others is that I can truly say that I have the best interest of this community in my heart,” Flores said. “I intend on contributing to give my very best back to this community that has given me so much.”