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Hesperia looking to hire new police chief.
#HesperiaPoliceDepartment
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
HESPERIA – The Village of Hesperia is currently searching for a new police chief to replace Joe Fitzgerald who recently resigned from the post.
Fitzgerald served as chief from July to December of 2018, said Village Clerk Vicki Burell. He resigned to take an employment opportunity in the Upper Peninsula, where his family is located, Burrell said.
The village council approved a motion Monday, Jan. 14, to advertise the open position. In the meantime, Officer Fred Hull will serve as interim chief with a $2-per-hour pay increase during the interim phase. The wage increase is retroactive to Dec. 31.
Hull, who attended the meeting, asked the council, “If you trust me to run the department while you’re looking for a chief, why don’t you trust me to run the department completely?”
Village President Mike Farber told Hull that he is welcome to apply for the job.
Councilman Mike Maynard made a motion to hire Hull, who has been on the department for four years, as the permanent chief, but the motion died on the table due to a lack of support.
Maynard and Councilwoman Kristin Denbesten voted against the motion to advertise for a new chief.
Officials from sheriff’s offices in Newaygo and Oceana counties, as well as retired Oceana County Sheriff Bob Farber, who is from Hesperia, will assist with the search.
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