The Perry Police Department will have some new leadership starting next week.
The City Council approved the promotion of detective Jerome Hill at their meeting Monday. As of the 29th, Hill will be a Sergeant in the department and earning a wage of $24.35 per hour. Chief Eric Vaughn says Hill’s service, training, work ethic and natural leadership skills are reason for the promotion.
Though the promotion was ultimately approved unanimously, questions were raised about Detective Hill both working in Perry and as the Chief of Police in Woodward.
City Administrator Butch Niebuhr says Hill has been doing both jobs for the past eight or nine years and does a great job in Perry. He says several other officers also use their off-duty time to help with security and other services so as a part time position in Woodward, this isn’t much different.
Hill’s promotion makes for two Sergeants with the department, the other being Jim Archer. Chief Vaughn, who was promoted to chief on February 1st after the retirement of former chief Dan Brickner, was the last assistant chief with the department and though it is unknown whether or not that position will be filled in the near future Vaughn says he does have plans for additional promotions in the coming months.