Finner abruptly left HPD in 2024 as an independent committee looked into the closing of 264,000 incident reports dating back to 2016 due to a lack of personnel.
A native of Fifth Ward, he joined the department as a patrol officer in 1990. He spent 12 years as a patrol officer before he was promoted to sergeant in 2002. Five years later, he was promoted to lieutenant and then to assistant chief in 2014.
He begins as Missouri City police chief on April 20, according to a news release from the city.
“We are confident that Chief Finner brings the experience, leadership, and commitment necessary to guide our Police Department forward,” Mayor Robin J. Elackatt said in a statement. “His dedication to public service and his vision for strengthening community trust align with the values of Missouri City. I look forward to the positive impact he will have on public safety and community engagement.”
Missouri City officials acknowledged Finner’s past overseeing HPD during a tumultuous time, but said in a news release they are confident in his capability to lead the police force.
An investigation into the suspended cases was closed last year. The committee eventually concluded the suspensions were due to a systemic failure of the department and that bad procedures — poor oversight, an antiquated records management system and inconsistent policies across divisions — allowed the problem to spread to thousands of cases. Prosecutors filed more than 175 felony charges after reviewing the cases.
“The City is aware of the circumstances regarding Chief Finner’s departure from the City of Houston,” a Tuesday news release from the city read.
“While Missouri City does not minimize the seriousness of those matters, the City’s decision was based on its assessment of his extensive experience and his ability to lead the department forward.”