safety
White Settlement police chief announces retirement after 4 years, joins BNSF Railway police
Summary by The Fort Worth Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by James Hartley | KERA News , Fort Worth Report
· July 24, 2026
· 3 min read
White Settlement Police Chief Christopher Cook is retiring after about four years as the city’s top cop. Cook, who grew up in White Settlement, took the post as the department’s leader after serving as deputy police chief in Arlington. Cook announced in a news release Friday that he will officially
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Fort Worth Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting James Hartley | KERA News, Fort Worth Report Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 24, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
Every story comes with a passport. How we work · Corrections log
Key takeaway "Even though I am transitioning to a new role, my family and I plan to remain residents of White Settlement, stay active throughout the community, and continue seeking opportunities to serve this great town where I was born and raised.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The retirement of White Settlement Police Chief Christopher Cook marks a significant transition for the city's public safety team. As a native of White Settlement, Cook's departure is particularly notable given his deep roots in the community. His decision to remain a resident and continue seeking opportunities to serve the city suggests that his commitment to White Settlement's well-being will endure. The city will likely face the challenge of finding a successor who can build on Cook's accomplishments, including his efforts to increase community engagement and stabilize the police department's workforce. Cook's new role with the BNSF Railway Police Department will also be worth watching, given the railway's extensive presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and its jurisdiction across state lines. As the city moves forward, it will be important to see how Cook's legacy is carried forward and how his successor will address the unique public safety needs of White Settlement.
About this story
Original reporting by Fort Worth Report . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Fort Worth Report . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 24, 2026 ·
Source: Fort Worth Report ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? White Settlement Police Chief Christopher Cook is retiring after about four years as the city’s top cop. Cook, who grew up in White Settlement, took the post as the department’s leader after serving as deputy police chief in Arlington. Cook announced in a news release Friday that he will officially
When was this published? This article was first published on July 24, 2026 by Fort Worth Report and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by James Hartley | KERA News at Fort Worth Report. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter