Published: October 03, 2008 05:05 pm            

Anderson in as chief

Whitestown — The Whitestown Police Department found its man, choosing Dennis R. Anderson as its first-ever chief of police.

A news release from the WPD announced Anderson as the selection after a series of interviews beginning Sept. 13, .

“Mr. Anderson is highly qualified and will be an excellent addition to our police department,” Interim Chief Dan Boutwell said in the release. No Whitestown officials were available for comment at press time.

The newly-formed Whitestown Board of Police Commissioners will decide whether to approve Anderson as one of its first measures. If approved, Anderson will be taken before the Whitestown Town Council Tuesday, Oct. 14 for final approval.

Anderson started his public service career by serving six years in the U.S. Army, and three years in the Indiana National Guard. According to the news release, Anderson served as a team leader in a top secret telecommunications center while in the Army. He the became the division chief of communications for the Wayne Township Fire Department in Indianapolis.

In 1990, Anderson moved down the road from Wayne Township to Speedway to begin his law enforcement career. Within three years on the SPD force, Anderson became the department’s DARE officer, a post he held until 1995.

He continued to move up the ranks, serving as K-9 Sergeant from 1997 to 1999, until he was promoted to Lieutenant in 1999.

Other qualifications outlined in the release include: certified Emergency Vehicle Operations Course instructor, DARE instructor, department grant writer, K-9 certification, SWAT officer and team commander.

In addition, Anderson was named Officer of the Year in 1992 and received two Medal of Valor awards in 1998.

Boutwell has served as interim marshal since the suspension and subsequent resignation of Ralph Roberts in July. He was a part time patrol officer before being asked to take the leadership role. Boutwell will continue serving the WPD in a part-time role.

Town council member and Indiana State Trooper Kyle West said one-and-a-half years ago, the marshal’s department consisted of one full-time and one part-time officer. The new police department will now have a police chief, a deputy chief, two sergeants, and one patrol officer. The town also plans to make three new hires in January 2009, increasing the number of staff members to eight.

        

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