New councilmember sworn in for City of Tyler District 1
Published on November 10, 2026
On Wednesday, Nov. 10, newly elected Councilmember David Long was sworn in to represent District 1.
Meet the newest elected official:
David L. Long brings more than three decades of public service, public safety, executive leadership, and organizational management experience to the position. A longtime member of the Tyler community, he is committed to responsible government, fiscal accountability, public safety, transparency and ensuring that residents have an accessible and responsive voice in city government.
Long retired from the Tyler Police Department in Feb. 2026 after 32 years of service, concluding his law enforcement career as Assistant Chief of Police. Throughout his career, he served in numerous operational, investigative, tactical, and administrative leadership positions, including SWAT and tactical incident command. His responsibilities included directing tactical operations, overseeing specialized law enforcement units, managing the department’s budget and financial resources, developing organizational policies, and leading initiatives designed to improve public safety and operational effectiveness. His budget management experience included fiscal oversight, resource allocation, and long-term financial planning. Before joining the Tyler Police Department in 1994, Long served in the United States Coast Guard.
Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in leadership development, strategic planning, organizational analysis, and process improvement. Long is a graduate of the FBI National Academy’s 240th Session and the Leadership Command College of the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas at Sam Houston State University. He has also provided leadership and supervisory training to law enforcement professionals and municipal employees, emphasizing effective decision-making, accountability and organizational effectiveness.
In addition to his public safety career, Long has worked with City of Tyler departments on organizational development and operational improvement initiatives, applying Lean Six Sigma principles to enhance efficiency, accountability, and the delivery of municipal services. His experience working across departments has provided him with a broad understanding of municipal operations, budgeting, public infrastructure, and the challenges associated with balancing community needs and available resources.
As a member of the Tyler City Council, Long is dedicated to maintaining the quality of life that makes Tyler a desirable place to live, work, and raise a family. His priorities include responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources, effective public safety services, thoughtful infrastructure planning, and open communication between city government and the residents it serves. He believes effective representation begins with listening, providing accurate information and ensuring that residents’ concerns receive meaningful attention.