Major Armando Tello
Major Armando Tello enters his 35th year in Law Enforcement holding leadership positions at both City of Houston and Harris County agencies. After serving 26 years with the Houston Police Department, Major Tello continued his service in the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and the Harris County Precinct 6 Constable’s Office.
Major Tello began his career with HPD in 1982 as a patrol officer assigned to the North Shepherd Patrol Division. Over the course of his career, Major Tello was assigned to a variety of specialized units including the City of Houston’s Jail, Special Investigations Command, Gang Tactical Unit, Burglary and Theft Division, the Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office and the Office of Professional Development.
In 2008, then Sheriff Adrian Garcia tapped Tello to serve as a Major and Special Assistant to the Sheriff at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. In 2013, Sheriff Garcia promoted Tello to Chief Deputy overseeing the Law Enforcement Command including the Office of the Inspector General and Internal Affairs Division, Homeland Security, Criminal Investigations, Special Operations and Crime Prevention and Patrol Bureaus.
In 2014, newly sworn Harris County Precinct 6 Constable Heliodoro Martinez Jr. asked Tello to become his Chief Deputy. There, his knowledge and experience was a catalyst to bring reform and accountability to the Precinct 6 Constable’s Office.
In recognition of his many career accomplishments, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez selected Tello to serve as the Assistant Chief overseeing the Law Enforcement Command.
Assistant Chief Armando Tello holds a Master Peace Officer’s License and an Instructor’s Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. He also has had extensive training in crime prevention, community service, gang prevention, international terrorism, human behavioral studies, hate crimes, and took part in the elite U.S. Secret Service Dignitary Protection Program.
Off duty, Major Tello has spent 18 years coaching High School and Gold Tournament level softball. He is passionate about charitable pursuits assisting young ladies obtain college scholarships to pursue their athletic and educational careers.
About the Professional Development And Standards Bureau
The Professional Development and Standards Bureau is dedicated to advancing the Harris County Sheriff’s Office’s most valuable asset – people – by providing quality training, employee support, and career growth opportunities. From the Recruiting and Backgrounds sections to the Human Resources Division, the bureau’s personnel ensure prospective and current employees meet or exceed state and agency standards. The Harris County Sheriff’s Academy provides basic and advanced training to this and many other law enforcement agencies. Community Relations and Field Operations Support deputies serve the public by arming citizens with knowledge, ensuring awareness and safety in neighborhoods throughout Harris County.
The Real Time Crime Center uses data and technology to keep patrol deputies, investigators, and other law enforcement agencies updated as local criminal activity occurs to help maintain public safety. Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) Operations and the Justice Information Management System (JIMS) link this agency’s criminal justice information with many other local, state, and federal databases. The Personnel Affairs Division provides invaluable support to employees and their families (Family Assistance Unit), active-duty and military veterans (Military Liaison Office), and pays respect to fallen deputies and peace officers from around the state and nation (Honor Guard).
All of these separate sections work together proudly and professionally with others in the organization – and region – to exemplify the Harris County Sheriff’s Office’s motto: 21st Century Leading Law Enforcement Agency.