ZEELAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – Now that the City of Zeeland has decided to keep its own police force, the next order of business is finding a new police chief.
During tonight’s City Council meeting, City Manager Tim Klunder will recommend that a seven-member search committee be formed to seek a permanent replacement for Bill Olney, who had retired this summer after 16 years. Agreeing to serve on this panel if asked are Klunder, Mayor Kevin Klynstra, Councilman Rick VanDorp, Gentex Human Resources VP Kurt Wassink, Cityside Middle School Principal Sarah Huizenga, retired Allegan County Sheriff Blaine Koops and retired Amway security staffer Steve Crumb.
Klunder added in a memorandum attached to this evening’s meeting agenda that he would meet on Tuesday with current Zeeland police officers to get their input on what they are looking for in a new leader; the committee will hold its first meeting before the end of the year, with solicitation of resumes to begin in the first week of January, and to set an application deadline of January 31st. His timetable for having a new police chief in place is April 16th, but Klunder admitted, “As we found out with the Police Review Committee, exact timelines are sometimes hard to achieve.”
Two weeks ago, council had approved the recommendation of that Police Review Committee to maintain local police service after studying options following Olney’s retirement. Tom Ball and Kevin Cisler are currently overseeing department operations on an interim basis.
Council holds a 6 PM work-study session prior to the 7 PM business meeting at Zeeland City Hall tonight.
