CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — It’s a story that started with controversy, moved through a costly settlement, and now lands squarely in the political arena.
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Former Beeville Police Chief Kevin Behr is speaking out after losing his job last year and talking about his run for Bee County Judge.
Behr served as police chief for three years before the city fired him last August following a complaint alleging he made inappropriate sexual remarks to a female officer. The allegations sent shockwaves through City Hall and the police department.
Behr has consistently denied the claims.
“I was given the opportunity to resign or be terminated for this allegation, this confirmed allegation,” Behr said. “I refused to resign. I did nothing wrong.”
What followed was months of behind-the-scenes negotiations. In November, Behr and the city reached a financial settlement. Then, just days before the end of the year, the City of Beeville reversed course officially rescinding his termination and accepting a voluntary resignation instead.
The city also offered Behr his old job back.
Instead, Behr says he’s turning the page and taking his leadership experience into politics.
“I believe I brought a lot to the police department,” Behr said. “I brought them kicking and screaming, perhaps into the 21st century.”
Behr is now running in the March Republican primary for Bee County Judge, where he’ll face Commissioners Sammy Farias and Kristofer Linney. The winner will become the county’s next judge.
Behr says controversy hasn’t scared him off and may have prepared him for the role.
“I’m going to be a 40-hour-a-week plus, accessible County Judge,” he said.
Until primary day, Behr plans to crisscross Bee County, meeting voters face-to-face and making his case as the race moves from the police department to the ballot box.