Published: October 14, 2008 09:02 am      

Ina seeks replacement for police chief

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

INA — Following the resignation of its police chief last week, the Ina Village Board is expecting to have a replacement soon.

According to board member Eric Wolf, the board is “moving forward” and has candidates in mind to interview for the position vacated by former chief Marvin Smith, who resigned at last week’s regular board meeting. Wolf said though he knew Smith “wasn’t happy with things” in the village, board members were “all surprised” when Smith announced his resignation.

“We knew there were problems under the surface,” Wolf said Monday evening, “things got us by surprise.”

However, he said there is still a lot of preliminary work to be done in order for the board to hire Smith’s replacement. The organization of a citizen’s police board is also in the works, Wolf said, so village residents can be involved in the hiring process as well.

“[The citizen’s police board] is a way the citizens can get involved and feel their voice is heard. We’re still working on the parameters of the board. We want this to work in the best interest for the village. It seems like a good way for people to have a voice.”

Wolf indicated that some Ina residents have implied that the village board does not listen to their concerns. But, he said, the board is listening. “The Board wants to work with them.”

When asked about Smith’s claims of not having the proper equipment as befitting a police chief for the village, Wolf said there has been some debate.

“There have been a few things we’ve been slow in getting — the whole police force is new to us. There’s been debate on whether [equipment] is what we needed or wanted. We want [the police chief] to be safe and have what he needs. We’re trying to get back where we need to be. We’re looking at a new car.”

The board had also consulted Jefferson County Sheriff Roger Mulch, Wolf said, in regards to the previous vehicle Smith used as police chief. Mulch had informed the board the vehicle “was adequate for what we needed it for,” Wolf said.

Smith was the third police chief hired by the board. Don Reynolds was hired in November 2007, but was suspended this summer after he was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. In July the board authorized the hiring of a temporary officer to replace Reynolds and eventually hired Sean Wilkey. Wilkey resigned approximately a week after being hired due to a “personality conflict,” Wolf explained.

“Marvin was a good officer and the people liked him,” Wolf added. “There was a personality conflict between him and the board — no one was all right and no one was all wrong.”

Wolf said the board will be hiring a new chief “very soon” and hope to also add several part-time officers.

“Hopefully we’ll get to a model of how a small town police force is run. We’re serious about this and will do it right.”