The leadership of the Palestine Police Department is composed of a Chief of Police and is supported by one Administrative Assistant.

Administration's role is to lead the agency, through implementation of policy and procedures that meets best practices, to manage a budget in excess of $4 million dollars, and to ensure that the Palestine Police Department's and City of Palestine's Mission, Vision and Values are upheld throughout the organization, ensuring quality and professionalism that is expected from our community.

Chief of Police Andy Harvey is a Command Level Law Enforcement leader with over 21 years experience in the Dallas Police Department and a distinguished 21-year military career with the United States Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, and the Texas Army National Guard.

Harvey has variously served the Dallas Police Department as Commander of the Media Relations Unit and was the primary spokesperson for the Chief of Police and the department, an Investigative Unit Commander, and Patrol Commander of the Southeast, Northwest, Southwest, and Central Patrol Divisions. Harvey also commanded the Personnel and Community Engagement Divisions and is a certified master instructor with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

Harvey served and retired as a First Sergeant with the Texas Air National Guard. Harvey led troops during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Hurricane Katrina. He is also a recognized speaker and author of “Excellence in Policing, Simple Ways to Exceed Citizen Expectations in Every Encounter.”

Harvey holds a bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University and a master’s degree from the University of North Texas where he also serves as an adjunct professor.

Donna Thornell has served as the Admin. Assistant to the Chief since September of 2004. She is responsible for clerical duties, including scheduling, budgetary assistance, and process of open records requests which come through the City Secretary's Office.