Dayton, TX
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Chief of Police, Shane Burleigh
Hello and welcome to the Dayton Police Department’s website.
Chief Shane Burleigh serves as the Chief of Police for the Dayton Police Department in Dayton, Texas, bringing 30 years of law enforcement experience, including 20 years of dedicated service to the City of Dayton. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to professional excellence, ethical leadership, and community-focused policing.
Chief Burleigh joined the Dayton Police Department in 2006 as a Reserve Police Officer before becoming a full-time Patrol Officer. Over the course of his career with the department, he has served in numerous leadership and investigative roles, including Narcotics Investigator, Patrol Corporal, Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Sergeant, CID Lieutenant, Patrol Lieutenant, Captain, and Interim Chief of Police on two separate occasions before being appointed Chief of Police. His progression through the ranks has provided him with extensive operational and leadership experience in patrol, criminal investigations, organizational management, and strategic planning.
As Chief of Police, Burleigh is responsible for the department’s overall administration, strategic direction, budgeting, policy development, personnel management, and operational readiness. He is committed to building a culture of integrity, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement while ensuring the department remains
responsive to the evolving needs of the community.
In addition to his responsibilities as Chief of Police, Chief Burleigh serves as the City of Dayton’s Emergency Management Coordinator, where he oversees the City’s emergency management program. He leads emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery, and continuity planning efforts while coordinating with local, county, regional, state, and federal partners to ensure the City is prepared to respond effectively to disasters and other
critical incidents.
Chief Burleigh is a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Master Peace Officer and a TCOLE Firearms Instructor. He also earned the Certified Public Manager (CPM) designation through Stephen F. Austin State University, reflecting his commitment to excellence in public sector leadership and organizational management.
Chief Burleigh believes that effective public safety is founded on integrity, accountability, professionalism, and strong partnerships with the community. He is dedicated to developing future law enforcement leaders, investing in employee training and wellness, embracing innovation, and fostering a culture of service that earns and maintains the public’s trust.
As both Chief of Police and Emergency Management Coordinator, Chief Burleigh is honored to serve the citizens of Dayton. His vision is to lead a department that is progressive, resilient, and community-focused while remaining firmly committed to protecting life, preserving peace, and enhancing the quality of life for everyone who lives, works, and visits the City of Dayton.