The Hutchinson Police Department Friday says following an extensive search process, the city selected its next police chief.
The city says Jeffrey Hooper will take leadership of the Hutchinson Police Department on Oct. 22. Hooper replaces Chief Dick Heitschmidt who’s retiring Monday after 26 years guiding the department.
For the past 27 years, Hooper served with the Riley County Police Department where he currently serves as a captain, a position he’s held for 14 years. His other roles with the RCPD included police officer, detective, sergeant and lieutenant.
The City of Hutchinson says Hooper has a decree in sociology/criminal justice and is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy. Hutchinson City Manager John Deardoff says Hooper’s education, leadership abilities and “broad law-enforcement experience” make him the right fit to be Hutchinson’s next police chief.
(Read more: KWCH News)