Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle says he hopes the city’s next Police Chief will lead the department long-term.
Police Chief Alex Hayes announced Monday he’ll retire at the end of March. Hayes became Police Chief in 2009, taking over for former Chief Eric Buske.
Mayor Suttle says he’s concerned about the recent turnover in leadership of the Police Department. But he praised Hayes for his accomplishments during his two and a half years as Chief. “He has moved the department on to focus on the pressing issues of public safety and he has fulfilled those, particularly the community policing, particularly in the attack on illegal guns on the streets, and all the other things that are pressing with the problems of the times.”
Mayor Suttle will name an acting Police Chief by March 30th. He says no decision has been made as to whether the search for a permanent Police Chief will go outside the department.