The Centralia City Council Monday night on a four to one vote approved offering Christopher Locke a contract as the new police chief.
The decision came after a resident explained her unhappiness in how the Fairview Heights Police Department, from where Locke retired, handled a rape case, and questioned the council on how much of a background check had been completed.
Locke will be paid $105,000 a year. City Manager Kory Smith said the city would not have to pay into the pension fund for Locke and there was no clause giving him severance pay if he is terminated. He’ll begin work September 12th.
Smith praised Locke.
“Our resolution since we’ve been striving for since I took over this seat, and I very much believe we have the right candidate to take over the role and responsibility of Chief of Police here in the City of Centralia.”
Mayor Bryan Kuder also welcomed Lucke, noting he was looking forward to what he was bringing the city. Kuder also thanked Lieutenant Steve Whritenour for filling in as acting chief since former Chief Greg Dodson resigned in May.
The no vote to the hiring came from Councilman Robert ‘Spanky’ Smith who was unhappy Locke had been offered the position a second time after earlier turning it down. Smith felt there were other qualified candidates to chose from.
Locke was present at the meeting and after the meeting talked about his goals.
“I’m very excited to come work with the hard working men and women of the police department. Hopefully I can be an advocate for them and my roll there is as far as I’m concerned will be a facilitator to allow them to do their jobs better. And then of course excited also to strengthen and build community and police partnerships and also with the business community, our visitors and residents.”
And why the decision to come to Centralia.
“It was an opportunity to come to a community a little smaller than Fairview, and I like that feel. And come to a department I feel I can have a positive impact on. And work with the men and women to move the department forward. And hopefully do a lot of great things for the community.”
After completing military service, Locke spent his entire police career in the Fairview Heights Police Department rising from Patrolman to Chief over 28 years.
