City of New Hampton to Interview Police Chief Candidates Saturday (05.11)
The City of New Hampton is expected to interview candidates for their police chief position this weekend.
On April 1st, former NHPD chief Tim Pederson was issued a two-day unpaid suspension following an off-duty incident the City said did not meet the expectations of a police chief’s position. Two weeks later, Pederson resigned.
Officer Doug Eagan was then named interim chief, but he himself resigned less than two weeks later. After almost 16 years with the NHPD, Eagan’s last day on staff was Wednesday (05.08) and Officer Chad McGee takes over as interim chief.
During Monday (05.06) night’s New Hampton City Council meeting, Danielle Tiemessen presented a petition with over 600 signatures seeking to get Pederson reinstated. Mayor Steve Geerts says he appreciates those who signed, but notes several were children, minors, or out-of-state residents.
Geerts says interviews with two applicants for the position are slated for Saturday (05.11) morning and the City hopes to have a new police chief ready to start by early June.
With the department being short-staffed, the City Council also approved an “on call” pay plan to supplement officers who are on duty with an “on call” officer who could be brought in for situations call requiring extra assistance.
While the NHPD remains short-handed, Officer Cory Frank graduated from the police academy last month and is now a certified officer. He’s currently in a “break in” period in which he rides along with other officers, but Geerts expects Frank to be ready to “fly solo” towards the end of May.
