The mayor of Bethel Heights promoted Sgt. Rick Moore to police chief last week.
Bethel Heights was left without a police chief after Rodney Reed became the Centerton police chief March 25.
Moore has been with the department for more than two years, said Cynthia Black, mayor. "He fit all of the qualifications I was looking for," she said.
Moore has been a good team leader and communicator, had previous experience in a small town and has a strong work ethic, Black said.
Turnover had been a problem in the last year, and Black said she hopes Moore can restructure the department to make it more efficient. The department has six officers, including chief, she said.
"I feel he brings a lot of integrity to the position," she said.
There were six applications after the position was posted. Moore was the only internal candidate.
Moore was named interim chief during the search. He began his job as chief April 9.
He previously was in private industry and was police chief in Cave Springs in 2011.
Moore will be paid a $45,000 salary.
NW News on 04/18/2015