News Releases

ICE selects former Houston police chief to lead outreach office

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today announced Harold Hurtt, former Houston Police Chief, has been selected as the new director for the Office of State and Local Coordination (OSLC) - which will oversee outreach and communication between ICE, local law enforcement agencies and groups, tribal leaders, and non-governmental organizations.

"Chief Hurtt is a respected member of the law enforcement community and understands the concerns of local law enforcement leaders," said Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for ICE John Morton. "His experience and skills will be an invaluable asset to ICE's outreach and coordination efforts. Partnerships with local law enforcement agencies and community organizations are essential to ICE's mission."

Hurtt is a long-time law enforcement professional with more than 40 years of experience and a record of significant accomplishments. In 2004, Hurtt was selected to serve as the police chief for the Houston Police Department, the country's fourth largest police department overseeing a staff of nearly 7,000 personnel. Prior to his time in Houston, Hurtt served as the police chief in Phoenix, the nation's fifth largest police department. For six years, he also led the Oxnard Police Department in California. Hurtt began his law enforcement career with the Phoenix Police Department in 1968.

"Protecting the public is easier when local and federal law enforcement agencies work together. I'm happy to be given this opportunity to bring my local law enforcement experience to D.C.," said Hurtt, who is expected to begin next month.

Hurtt graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Arizona State University (1977) and a Master's degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix (1991).

For more information, visit www.ice.gov.