The new police chief for the city of Hutchinson begins his duties Wednesday.
Jeff Hooper will take over the department from Dick Heitschmidt, who recently retired.
Hooper has served as a captain with the joint Riley County-Manhattan Police Department. That included 27 years in law enforcement and 14 as captain.
He was actually a finalist for the chief’s position with that department, but withdrew his name from consideration to take the job in Hutchinson.
(Read more: Hutch Post)