Salazar happy in new role as chief.

Hart Police Chief Juan Salazar

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By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

HART — Juan Salazar was recently appointed as the new chief of the Hart Police Department, taking over for long-time chief Dan Leimback who retired after 40 years on the force.

Salazar, 31, is a familiar face for Hart residents. The Hart native has been an HPD officer for nine years. A 2003 Hart High School graduate, Salazar obtained an associate’s degree in law enforcement from West Shore Community College in 2007.

Prior to working for HPD, Salazar was a corrections officer at the Oceana County Jail for two years.

“I’m happy and pleasantly surprised,” Salazar said of his new leadership role. “Things have been running great here for 40 years, and I plan to continue that for another 40 years.”

The new chief said he has some big shoes to fill by replacing Leimback, but he’s up for the challenge. He plans to maintain Leimback’s approachable and friendly leadership style while focusing on his main duty of “keeping the community safe.”

Salazar said he has a changes he plans to implement, but his main focus is continuing the high level of professionalism that his predecessor created. He also attributes the department’s success to his staff. “I’m happy to continue to work with them. Our officers do a wonderful job,” he said.

Salazar and his wife, Natalie, live in southern Mason County.