Auten named interim police chief as search begins

An interim police chief has been named while the city of Creston works to find the right fit for the permanent position.

Current Creston Police Chief Paul Ver Meer was recently selected as the new Union County Emergency Management Coordinator, taking over for Jo Duckworth following her retirement. Ver Meer’s last day with the police force will be Aug. 31. Lieutenant Jared Auten was announced as the interim police chief during a meeting Thursday with Creston Police.

Creston Mayor Waylon Clayton shared plans for hiring a new permanent chief during the city council meeting Tuesday, Aug. 5. The city will be working with Paul Greufe of PJ Greufe & Associates of Davenport, a consulting firm which specializes in human resources.

Greufe worked with Union County EMA to hire Ver Meer, and Clayton said he appreciated having an outside voice in the proceedings.

“I did like the way he did the process and getting a lot of people to know about it. Before I make the appointment for chief, I just want to have somebody out there in front of me to make it a little bit more fair,” Clayton said. “He’s going to be doing the ad, he’s going to be bringing in all the applications and then he’s going to be giving them to us.”

The council approved a contract with Greufe, with plans to start looking immediately. Once applications are in, they will go to an interview committee to review.

Clayton put together a committee of five people: Union County Sheriff Brian Bolton, Creston Council Member and Mayor Pro-Tem Richard Madison, Creston City Administrator Mike Taylor, Gruefe as an HR consultant and Clayton.

“I thought that was a good mix of individuals, some from the administration, some from law enforcement, and with an HR guy, I think that’s a pretty darn good guy,” Clayton said.

In a later meeting with area law enforcement, Clayton said while he hopes to promote someone from within the ranks to chief, the city needs to explore all avenues.

“My heart is to promote within the ranks, and I do mean that. I know there’s a lot of uncertainty about that,” Clayton said. “I believe we have great people here, but my responsibility is to do what’s best for the responsibility of this department and for the citizens of Creston, and that means I’ll be looking both inside and outside to find the right person.”