Command Staff

Chief Chris Freis

Chris Freis currently serves as the Chief of Police for the Addison Police Department. Throughout his law enforcement career, he served in multiple capacities, including Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer, Field Training Officer, SWAT Team Leader, Use-of-Force Instructor, and Department Firearms Instructor. Before being appointed with the Town of Addison, Chief Freis served as the Assistant Chief of Police for the City of Duncanville, where he oversaw various divisions, including Patrol, SWAT, Internal Affairs, and Training and Personnel. Chief Freis is most proud of his work in developing great officers and leading high-functioning teams.

 

Chief Freis is a graduate of the 87th session of the Senior Management for Police Institute Police Executive Research Forum, the FBI LEEDA Trilogy Series, the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration School of Police Supervision, the Force Science Institute Certification Course, and the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement Train the Trainer Course. He holds a Master Peace Officer License from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Military Science from Dallas Baptist University. He is an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Texas Police Chiefs Association, and the North Texas Police Chiefs Association. 

 

Chief Freis has actively engaged with various stakeholders throughout his law enforcement career, including mental health professionals, business leaders, civil rights activists, legislators, judges, faith-based organizations, community groups, and police department members. This collaborative approach has allowed him to gain a deep understanding of the concerns and perspectives of each community faction. Chief Freis’ belief in managing Public Safety in a manner that is responsive to the community and reflective of national standards and best practices underscores his commitment to inclusive and effective law enforcement.

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Assistant Chief TJ Smetzer

Assistant Chief TJ Smetzer has worked for the Addison Police Department since August of 2012 and currently serves as the Assistant Chief over the Support Bureau. Previously, Asst. Chief Smetzer worked as Captain over the Support Bureau, Patrol Lieutenant, Support Services Lieutenant, Patrol Sergeant, Sergeant over Training and Hiring, background investigator, field training officer, and officer in charge.  

Before working for Addison, Asst. Chief Smetzer worked for the Baylor Health Care System Police Department for seven years as a police dispatcher and police officer. He also previously worked as an adjunct professor of Texas Government at Richland College from 2013 until 2017. 

He holds bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Emergency Management from the University of North Texas and a master’s degree in Public Administration, also from UNT.  Asst. Chief Smetzer graduated from the Institute of Law Enforcement Administration’s 59th School of Executive Leadership in 2022 and their School of Police Supervision in 2016.

 

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Assistant Chief Mike Vincent

Assistant Chief Mike Vincent has served the Addison Police Department since 2004 and is currently the Operations Bureau Commander. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, Chief Vincent began his career in policing at APD where he gained progressive leadership experience, rising through the ranks as an Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Assistant Chief.

As an officer, Asst. Chief Vincent served in the Patrol Division, where he took on additional responsibilities such as officer-in-charge, field training officer, firearms instructor, and SWAT operator. While serving as a Sergeant, Vincent was a patrol supervisor, criminal investigations supervisor, and SWAT team leader. In 2011, Chief Vincent was part of the leadership team that formed the North Texas Metro SWAT Team, consisting of officers from the cities of Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, and Farmers Branch.  Upon his promotion to Lieutenant, Vincent oversaw the department range, served as a SWAT commander, and implemented several new programs to increase the quality and efficiency of training for Addison officers.As a Captain and Assistant Chief, Vincent led an effort to implement a peer support team and other mental health and wellness programs, oversaw security planning for major special events such as Kaboom Town!, integrated a number of internal training programs to develop supervisors, and managed the department’s response and operations during the pandemic. 

Asst. Chief Vincent obtained his master’s degree in Justice Administration & Leadership from the University of Texas at Dallas and continues to promote professional and academic development at all levels of the organization.