Sheriff Cuellar Announces Appointment of Executive Chief
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Dec 1, 2020, 0 Comments
Courtesy Eduardo Chapa,
Laredo, TX (Webb County) –Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar today announced the appointment of Scott G. Avant as Executive Chief.
A native of Cotulla, Texas, Avant has called Webb County home for 30 years. He brings more than 27 years of law enforcement experience. Avant comes from a law enforcement family. He is the son of retired LaSalle County Sheriff Darwin Avant and the brother of Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Chief of Intelligence and Counter Terrorism Dale Avant.
As Executive Chief, he will be instrumental in assisting the Chief Deputy with the oversight, strategic planning, and further development of functions performed by the sheriff’s office. He also will help ensure that all sheriff’s office tasks are conducted efficiently, effectively, uniformly, and with accountability.
“I am very grateful to Sheriff Cuellar for this opportunity,” said Avant. “I look forward to further serving and protecting our communities in Webb County by continuing to advance the sheriff’s office commitment of public trust and confidence.”
In addition, Avant will be tasked with making recommendations for improvement in operational performance and compliance, said Sheriff Cuellar.
“I welcome Scott Avant to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office family. He is a man of integrity and honor, and someone who will help lead and advance the efforts of the sheriff’s office,” said Sheriff Cuellar. “He will bring the training, experience, and knowledge from DPS that will be very beneficial to this office.”
His vast law enforcement experience includes rising the through the ranks of Texas DPS from Trooper through Captain, retiring in Laredo as the District Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division in the South Texas region. Avant coordinated law enforcement efforts with local, state and federal partners while supervising and managing personnel assigned to 12 South Texas counties as well as conducting special assignments for the DPS Director’s Office and the DPS Office of Inspector General.
Avant obtained an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Laredo Community College (LCC) and also went through the Certified Texas Peace Officer License Program at LCC. He also attended Laredo State University, where he was a Criminal Justice major.
He brings a wealth of certifications and training experience, including the Texas DPS State Trooper Recruit Training Academy; (Training) Instructor, Firearms Instructor, and Master Peace Officer certificates from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement; School of Leadership in Police Organizations from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Center for Police Leadership; and School of Police Staff and Command from Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety.
