Robbie DeLong, interim chief of the Winfield Police Department, began his first day on the job Monday. He takes over from former chief Brett Stone, who retired Aug. 24 after about 16 months on the job.
DeLong began his career with the Winfield Police Department in 2004. In 2013 he left the department to teach at the state police training academy in Hutchinson before rejoining in 2015.
DeLong started out as a patrol officer before moving up to various roles in the patrol and investigative divisions. He also served on the drug task force and is a 12-year member of the regional SWAT team.
Even though the department has weathered a tough few months since a traffic stop video led to the firing of a Winfield police officer, DeLong said the morale is good. “We want to continue that,” he said.
DeLong said the department is headed in a good direction, and as interim chief, his approach will be to take the department where it needs to go. Things are “actively moving forward,” he said, and staff will make changes as needed.
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