CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Former head of the Nueces County Criminal Interdiction Unit Mike Tamez has been actively campaigning for Nueces County Sheriff as a democratic candidate, but Wednesday night he was at Robstown City Hall as city leaders determined if he would be the next Robstown police chief.
Multiple people spoke to Robstown city council members and Mayor David Martinez.
One was attorney Matt Manning, who spoke positively about Tamez potentially becoming Robstown's police chief.
Another was former Nueces County District Attorney Mark Gonzalez.
Gonzalez was present when Tamez officially changed political parties last year while running for Nueces County Sheriff.
The former DA also spoke in favor of Tamez becoming chief, mentioning what they accomplished while working together for Nueces County.
"Our interdiction unit was housed here in Robstown, and so he's very familiar with the area," Gonzalez said. "He has contacts all throughout the municipality and surrounding areas. So, I think it's going to be an easy transition."
Gonzalez added that Tamez could utilize the extra manpower while leading the Robstown Police Department.
"The DA's office only had a few agents who were assigned to him, so with the whole department, I can imagine the work that he would be doing here in the city of Robstown," he said.
Tamez's criminal interdiction unit was disbanded in October 2023.
It was known for combating drug trafficking in this region of Texas.
The unit also conducted raids on drug houses and game rooms, even setting a record liquid fentanyl bust last year at a traffic stop south of Robstown.
Ultimately, the outcome of Wednesday's meeting was that current police chief Rex Ramon would remain in charge of the department.
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