Corbin City Commission approves Hedrick as new police chief

The Corbin City Commission unanimously approved Rusty Hedrick to be the next Corbin Police Chief.

At Monday’s special called commission meeting, City Manager Marlon Sams recommended that Hedrick, who has been serving as interim chief following the retirement of David Campbell, be named chief.

Sams said the city personnel board interviewed five applicants for the position.

“Our recommendation was unanimous to appoint Rusty Hedrick as the police chief of Corbin,” Sams said.

Commissioner David Grigsby Hart, one of two commissioners that serves on the personnel board, said there were multiple qualified applicants.

“We spent a lot of time reviewing resumes, letters of recommendation and, of course, the interview process. At the end of the day Mr. Hedrick came out on top,” Hart said.

“This is a dream of every officer when they start out as a patrolman,” Hedrick said. “It is something they strive to do.”

Hedrick said he has been blessed to work with a host of great officers during his time at Corbin.

Hedrick said he understands and appreciates that the city had a process to fill the position and that officials took the time to go through that process.

Hedrick said his goal for the department is to concentrate on more community-oriented policing.

To that end, Hedrick said he would strive to have his officers out in the community, particularly at community events.

“In a situation where we are having a day with high call volume it will be tough,” Hedrick admitted. “I am going to be asking the officers when they have free or down time to get out and be more visible to the public.”

Hedrick said that includes himself.

“I will try to be as available as I can to answer calls, take collision reports and meet with people in the lobby,” Hedrick said.

Hedrick said while the position of assistant chief is officially no longer in place, he will be appointing someone in that role.

Hedrick said the biggest challenge for the department at the moment is to fill the five vacant positions, explaining it could take up to six months to complete the process.

“I have spoken with several experienced officers in the area who would consider coming to work at Corbin,” Hedrick said. “Depending on how many we get hired, that may be an option.

“I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve in this role and I will work diligently to offer the best police services available,” Hedrick said when asked if there was anything he would like to say to the people of Corbin.

Other police business during Monday’s meeting included:

• Accepted the retirement of K-9 “Jet” from the department.

While Jet did not send in a formal letter, he was in attendance along with his handler, Lt. Glenn Taylor.

Taylor said in 2015, Jet began experiencing jaw and tooth problems. As a result, one of his canine teeth had to be extracted.

When we went back this year for his certification, he will not engage on the bite,” Taylor said of Jet adding the vet explained that Jet likely remembers the pain.

As a result, Jet is unable to be certified creating a potential liability for the department and the city.

Jet has been a member of the Corbin Police Department since 2012.

Corbin Police Chief Rusty Hedrick presented Jet and Taylor with a plaque in honor of his service to the department.

“Jet will be retired to Officer Taylor,” Hedrick said.

• The resignations of Dispatcher Skyler Taylor and Police Officers Rick Baker and Brad Prewitt from the department.

In his resignation letter, Baker said he was leaving the department because of unspecified family issues.

In his resignation letter, Prewitt said he is leaving to pursue another professional opportunity.

With the resignations of the officers, the department now has five vacant positions.

The commission had previously authorized the city manager to hire three new officers. Monday night, the commissioners authorized the city manager to hire two additional officers from the current list of candidates.