Posted: 3/22/07
Payne named interim chief
By Chris Schafer
Princeton Police Chief Dave Warneke will retire at the end of this month and Princeton Police Sergeant Brian Payne will take his place on an interim basis.
At a special meeting, held March 16, the Princeton City Council accepted Warneke's request for retirement with regret.
At the same meeting, the city council made no decision on who will be the next police chief but members of the city's own department will get the first opportunity.
"It's good for morale to promote from within," council member Lee Steinbrecher said, discussing the option of promoting from within.
"It may help in officer retention," added council member Dick Dobson.
Officer Eric Minks provided a contrasting viewpoint, saying that an outside hire may provide a fresh look in the community.
Both the council and the officers in the audience agreed upon was the importance of experience in police work.
The board did not swear off looking outside but decided to open the position internally for 30 days while the city develops a committee to interview the candidates. If a suitable candidate is not found internally in that time, the council may look outside of the Princeton department.
The search will go beyond the final days of Warneke's tenure and it was decided at the meeting that Payne would fill in as the interim police chief until the position is permanently filled.
Princeton Union-Eagle
P.O. Box 278
Princeton, MN 55371
Telephone: 763-389-1222
Fax: 763-389-1728