Shelby hires Farber as chief.

December 10, 2018

Shelby Police Chief Bob Farber

Shelby hires Farber as chief.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

SHELBY – The Shelby Village Council voted unanimously Monday evening, Dec. 10, to hire retired Oceana County Sheriff Robert Farber as the village’s police chief.

Farber, who has been interim chief since the resignation of Ryan Furman Oct. 31, agreed to serve as part-time chief for a maximum of two years. He will be paid a $50,000 salary and receive no health benefits, said Village Administrator Robert Widigan.

Farber will work 32 hours a week Monday through Thursday, and a part-time officer will “fill in the gap,” Widigan said. “There will be the same coverage as a full-time chief.”

By not paying health benefits, the village will see a savings of over $4,500 the first year and over $9,000 the second year, the village administrator said.

The job description for a permanent chief will remain up-to-date with the goal that a full-time long-term chief will eventually be hired.

Farber previously filled in as interim chief for Shelby approximately one year ago when Terry Tenbrink retired and prior to the hiring of Furman. Since his retirement as sheriff, Farber also served as interim chief for the Village of Hesperia, which is also seeking a permanent police chief.

“He’s willing to bow out if someone comes along,” said Widigan of the hiring of a permanent police chief.

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