CLEAT long-time President Todd Harrison set to retire at end of 2020

For Immediate Release
November 11, 2020

AUSTIN — CLEAT will have a new President next month. Vice President Marvin Ryals of El Paso County Sheriff’s Department will take over duties on December 1, 2020.

The CLEAT Executive Board met in Executive Session today to accept the resignation of President Todd Harrison and elect an interim president to complete the current term, which ends on December 31, 2021.

Harrison began his law enforcement career in 1981 while in the Air Force. He then became a Travis County Deputy Sheriff in 1985 before becoming an Austin Police Officer in 1993. 

“Serving as an Executive Board Member since 1996, Vice President under the late Chris McGill and finally as President for the past 11 years has been the honor of my life of service to this union.” Said Todd Harrison. 

During his tenure as President, he worked with three Executive Directors, Ron DeLord, John Burpo, and Charley Wilkison. 

Harrison says that besides negotiating local contracts and working alongside CLEAT staff, his favorite segment of his time at CLEAT was interacting with members from across the state and assisting in making their lives and careers better.

In addressing his departure, Harrison indicated he has chosen a good time to retire. 

“Last year, we completed a huge downtown Austin real estate deal; we recently crossed the 25,000 member threshold. We have the most members, most financial resources, and the best staff in place in the history of CLEAT,” he said.

Regarding his retirement, Harrison details indicating he and his wife recently purchased their dream home, and the timing just felt perfect.

“Every cop dreams of finding the right time to jump off the merry-go-round and going home to spend time with loved ones. That’s where I am.”

“I’ll never forget the good people and the good things we accomplished. We did our dead-level best.”

-30-