Chandler Citizens Call for New Police Chief

More than 100 Chandler residents packed the towns community center Monday night for what turned in to a showdown, and at times a shouting match with the town council. At issue is the future of the police department, and who will replace the retiring chief. Chandlers police force has six full time officers, two part time officers, and a number of unpaid volunteers. Two council members planned to bring a former Chandler and Warrick Co. Sheriffs Department Deputy named Kevin Young back on to the force. He had resigned from both departments. Some on the police department believed Young was to be the new chief. After extensive public comment, the council agreed not to hire Young, but would not budge when asked to vote on promoting Ronnie Walker to the post. Walker is a previous chief and currently serves on the department. He had unanimous support among current officers at Mondays meeting. Pressed by citizens, council members Bob Hess and Jeanette Lance declined to say why they would not support Walker for the post. "I havent had a problem with his police work," said Hess, himself a former Chandler officer. The already complex web of small town politics took another turn when members of the audience alleged Hess had a vendetta against Walker. Walker was on the police force with Hess when Hess was forced to resign amid allegations that he fondled a woman and used abusive language while on duty. Council president Brian Lucas tried in vein several times to introduce a resolution naming Walker the successor to the chief post, but could not get his fellow council members to second the motion. The council will try to break its stalemate when it meets again March 17.