The DeSoto Police Department officially has a new boss, as John Sparling became the City’s full-time chief on January 1st.

Sparling has served as interim chief since October, following the departure of former Chief Dustin Runge, who took a job with the Johnston Police Department. Sparling spent 17 years in the Adel Police Department, and was selected by DeSoto for his breadth of experience that also includes time in the military. He is the only full-time officer in the DeSoto department, though there is a part-time officer and several reserve officers. In the future, the City would like to make it a 24-hour police department, but as of now they lack the funding to hire more than one full-time officer.

In the meantime, DeSoto will continue to receive backup from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.