By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The City of Decatur is moving toward the hiring of a new police officer, with Chief Kevin Gerber having told the city’s board of works that he knows who his choice will be.
Gerber said that following interviews, he was down to two candidates.
From an original field of several applicants, the field was trimmed to four, all of whom gained interviews. “All four were very impressive, I thought,” the chief told the board.
Mayor Dan Rickord agreed.
Gerber asked that both candidates be sent for the next step, a medical exam and a polygraph administered by the state.
Gerber reasoned that with two having passed those steps, one would be named to fill the department’s open position and the other would be ready to go if another vacancy cropped up.
The medical exam, however, costs $1,600 and, as Mayor Rickord pointed out, is only good for six months. That, at $1,600, is a cause for concern, board member Tyler Fullenkamp agreed.
Asked if he could decide on one candidate, Gerber said yes, so it was agreed to send just that candidate for the medical exam.
An opening was created with the September resignation of Jagg Nunez.
At full strength, the Decatur police force consists of 20 officers, including the chief and Assistant Chief Chris Brite.
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