Today is application deadline for New Bloomfield police chief

Today at 5 p.m. is the deadline to apply for the position of police chief of New Bloomfield, Mayor Mike Lowe said Thursday.

New Bloomfield City Attorney Mark Warren said members of the Board of Aldermen will review the applications and interview finalists for the position and then vote on hiring the new police chief.

"My guess is this will take at least a month to find and fill the position of police chief," Warren said.

City Clerk Terra Guittar said so far six people have applied for the position and one more application is anticipated before today's 5 p.m. deadline.

During a meeting Thursday night, the Board of Aldermen affirmed an earlier appointment by the mayor of Sgt. Justin Davison as interim police chief.

Davison told the mayor that he would be glad to serve as interim police chief but he did not want to apply for the position as police chief on a permanent basis because of conflicts with his full-time job. Davison said he would not be able to devote enough time to the job he feels is necessary.

During Thursday's board meeting, Mayor Lowe issued a proclamation praising former Police Chief John Hatfield, who resigned on Feb. 28.

The mayor's proclamation lauded Hatfield for his 7.5 years of service with the city as police chief.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.