Fulshear has a new interim police chief after a unanimous City Council vote Tuesday, Oct. 13.
David Gott, a 44-year law enforcement veteran who spent more than three decades with the Houston Police Department, takes over a department that has been without a chief since Kenny Seymour's firing Sept. 15. Gott's first day on the job was Wednesday, Oct. 14.
The council approved the appointment during a special meeting at the Fulshear Municipal Complex that lasted about eight minutes, Covering Katy reported. City Manager Zach Goodlander recommended Gott after reviewing candidates from several placement firms and interviewing multiple applicants with input from human resources and police department staff.
"We came to the conclusion that David Gott is the best choice, and that's why he's here today," Goodlander told the council.
Gott began his career with HPD in 1980 as a patrol officer and rose through the ranks to captain, according to the city's agenda packet. He commanded HPD's homicide, internal affairs, tactical operations, Clear Lake patrol and recruiting divisions during his tenure, which ended in 2013, ABC13 reported.
He then served as chief of police in Hedwig Village from 2013 through 2024. In 2025, he spent about five months as interim chief in Brenham while that city navigated its own police leadership transition, according to the agenda packet.
Gott also served as president of the Houston Area Police Chiefs Association and as a committee member for the Texas Police Chiefs Association's Best Practices Accreditation Program, according to My Neighborhood News.
Goodlander said he does not believe Gott is interested in the permanent chief position. The city expects the interim period to last three to six months while it evaluates the department's organizational needs and searches for a permanent replacement.
Seymour had led the Fulshear Police Department for about 15 years before the council voted unanimously Sept. 15 to remove him. An independent investigation found what city officials called "overwhelming evidence of misconduct." The probe stemmed from an alleged affair Seymour had with a subordinate officer, according to Community Impact. Community Impact reported that investigators described "a prolonged pattern of deception, financial conflict of interest and direct insubordination." Seymour had been on paid administrative leave since late August before his termination.
Seymour's attorney, Larry McDougal, told Community Impact he felt the investigation had issues in scope, evidence and standards. Seymour requested the Sept. 15 proceedings be held publicly rather than in closed session.
The Fulshear Police Department said in a statement that it looks forward to the experience and leadership Gott will bring and to working with officers, city leadership and community members to strengthen the department.
The city has not announced a timeline for launching the formal search for a permanent chief beyond the three-to-six-month window.
