Published: October 10, 2006 10:05 am            

Danville chooses new police chief

DANVILLE — The town council here was divided over the decision of who to hire as the town’s chief of police, but with a final vote of three to two, Keith Gill was selected to replace former chief Garry Edwards.

Council member Jeff Martin said he had plenty of input from the community since the candidates were interviewed last week. Martin’s vote was the deciding factor in the council making the job offer to Gill over Interim Police Chief Jerry Cunningham.

“This is the hardest decision I ever had to make,” Martin said.

During the interview process, Gill said he moved to Danville several years ago and has been with the Indiana State Police for 27 years. He said he has the ability to bring people together and would make necessary changes to the department after accessing things himself. Gill said he also wants to build a more professional police department.

“This is my adopted hometown,” he said. “I think this town has great potential and possibilities. I’m dedicated to this town now.”

Gill said he feels a bit overwhelmed by the job offer and added that Cunningham has done “a fantastic job” while filling in on an interim basis. He said he would like to keep him on as an assistant chief.

“I have confidence,” Gill said. “It is a good department and a good town and I look forward to working here.”

The council also voted three to two on how Gill would be paid because the town’s general fund has a budgeted for 15 police officers and the decision to hire Gill will bring the staff to 16.

Town Council President Myron Anderson said the Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) fund is the only resource available to cover an extra person until they can write additional staff into the budget next year. Council members Mike Neilson and Dick Burrows voted against dipping into the EDIT fund.

Gill said he will not be able to begin his job as town marshal for two to four weeks as he is finishing up a training session for the ISP.

        

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