May 22, 2008

Chester Police Officer Bobby Helmers was appointed Deputy Chief of Police for the Chester Police Department during Monday night’s Chester City Council meeting.

The Deputy Chief will assist Police Chief Ryan Coffey in any and all operational and management responsibilities. Helmers will be number two in the chain of command under the Police Chief.

Chief Coffey said for the past year he has spent a great deal of time examining the Chester Police Department, looking at the structure, procedures and the chain of command objectively trying to identify any and all weaknesses. He says its been a goal of his to make the Chester Police Department as efficient as it can be and believes that filling this position with Helmers is a step closer to that goal.

Several months ago, Chief Coffey reported to the council that after having been Chief for several months, he felt there was a gap or hole in the chain of command at the police department. He then shared his feelings regarding this gap by creating another administrative position. Then, Mayor Marty Bert and some of the council members mentioned an interest in a Deputy Chief position.

Chief Coffey says that although he had several very good candidates to fill this position, he found filling the position very easy.

He says he asked himself what he wanted out of that position, for example, a good competent leader, hard worker, positive attitude and not only a dedicated officer but someone dedicated to the Chester Police Department and the City of Chester. Chief Coffey says Bobby Helmers fits that bill.

Chief Coffey added he would like to congratulate Deputy Chief Helmers and looks forward to working with him in this new capacity.