MISSISSIPPI
GULF COAST

Long Beach Swears In New Police Chief
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LONG BEACH - Harley Schinker of Chicago has been named the city's next police chief and will take over on July 1.

The Board of Aldermen on Tuesday night voted unanimously for Schinker, who works for the Chicago Police Department and was the top pick of the Civil Service Commission.

Schinker's salary will be $53,000 per year.

Mayor Robert Bass and the aldermen said Schinker's years of experience in different areas were the reason they chose him.

"He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience," Alderman Allen Holder said after the vote. "He's going to put Long Beach back on the map and No. 1 in terms of law enforcement on the Coast."

Bass agreed.

"He's handled large budgets before, and he's dealt with employees," Bass said. "I want him to come in and take charge. We need somebody to come in and take control."

Schinker could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

The Police Department has been in flux for nearly a year. Former Police Chief Tom Bishop stepped down from the job July 1 after several employees filed lawsuits alleging sexual harassment against him, the department and the city.

Maj. Randy Cook with the Harrison County Sheriff's Department has served as interim chief since September.

A majority of the board in February voted against allowing the Sheriff's Department to take over police operations, saying the city needed its own department as part of its identity.

The Civil Service Commission interviewed about 20 people for the job, including Dee Schultz, a captain in the department.

 

 

Melissa Scallan can be reached at 896-0541 or at mmscallan@sunherald.com.