Fulshear City Council voted unanimously to fire Police Chief Kenneth Seymour on Tuesday following an extensive independent administrative review that substantiated findings of an undisclosed sexual and financial relationship with a subordinate officer. The administrative inquiry also concluded that Seymour had been untruthful and deceptive during the course of the investigation, leading to his official removal from office.
The termination on Sept. 15, 2026, brought an abrupt conclusion to Seymour’s 15-year leadership of the suburban law enforcement agency. Prior to the vote, the long-serving chief had been placed on paid administrative leave in late August as external investigators finalized their administrative inquiry into his interpersonal conduct and adherence to municipal standards.
In an uncommon procedural decision, Seymour specifically requested that the city council deliberate his continued employment during an open public session rather than behind closed doors in executive session. This public forum allowed community members and observers to hear the specific findings of the third-party administrative report as well as the formal defense mounted by his legal representative.
The administrative review originated on June 9, when city management received an anonymous letter that raised questions regarding promotional decisions within the police department. Specifically, the correspondence called into question the career advancement and promotions of a department captain dating back to 2014, prompting municipal leaders to authorize an independent investigation.
Although the inquiry initially focused on promotional practices, investigators broadened the scope of the probe as new evidence emerged. A central component of the expanded administrative review involved sworn testimony and formal responses that Seymour had previously submitted during his personal divorce proceedings, which shed light on internal departmental relationships.
According to the investigator's presentation before the city council, Seymour's sworn statements in the divorce case detailed a prolonged sexual relationship with a police captain serving directly under his command. The captain who was the subject of the inquiry subsequently resigned from her position with the Fulshear Police Department.
In addition to the intimate relationship, the administrative inquiry closely examined Seymour’s financial ties to the subordinate. Findings reported by FOX 26 revealed that the police chief had provided financial assistance to the captain by helping pay her rent, while also funding airline tickets and covering various other personal living expenses.
Further reporting by ABC13 disclosed additional expenditures incurred by Seymour on behalf of the subordinate, which included purchases of personal items such as flowers and a refrigerator. The investigation also uncovered financial records showing that Seymour had funded shared recreational travel, including trips to the Texas destinations of Fredericksburg and Galveston.
Upon concluding the administrative review, the independent investigator sustained multiple official findings against Seymour, including unmanaged financial conflicts involving a subordinate officer and a direct failure to disclose the relationship. The investigator also sustained findings that Seymour had engaged in deceptive or untruthful behavior and had improperly discussed the ongoing review with department personnel after being specifically ordered not to do so.
The third-party investigator characterized the documentary evidence supporting the sustained misconduct findings as "overwhelming" during the council meeting. Following the vote, municipal officials released a statement noting that the city council did not make the termination decision lightly, emphasizing that elected leaders carefully evaluated the complete review and take their civic duty to Fulshear residents seriously.
During the council meeting, Seymour's defense attorney, Larry McDougal Jr., mounted a vigorous challenge against both the scope and the ultimate findings of the inquiry. McDougal pointed out that the initial allegations regarding improper promotions were not sustained by the investigator, arguing that the inquiry improperly expanded into unrelated personal matters rather than concluding once the original complaint was resolved.
McDougal explicitly questioned the council regarding the true focus of the investigation, asking what Chief Seymour was ultimately being investigated for after the initial promotion complaints fell away. The attorney stated that Seymour firmly disagreed with the city council's decision to terminate his employment and confirmed that the former chief would be reviewing his available legal remedies.
Speaking before the final vote, Councilmember Randy Connor underlined the essential role of integrity within municipal governance, emphasizing that honesty and trustworthiness remain foundational requirements for public service. Connor stressed that the council's decision was vital to restoring community trust and providing officers with strong leadership, while insisting the findings should not cast a shadow over the rest of the police force.
Seymour had originally been appointed to lead the Fulshear Police Department on Aug. 26, 2011, overseeing its transition and operations during a significant period of rapid population growth throughout the city. Moving forward, the city announced that day-to-day police operations will temporarily fall under the direction of the city manager, with command-level staff managing departmental leadership until an interim police chief is formally appointed at an upcoming council meeting.
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