Chief Barnett to retire
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
Chatham Police Chief Roy Barnett will be retiring effective May 1, 2009, after 21-plus years on the
job.
Mayor Tom Gray made the announcement at Tuesday's village board meeting.
"Roy's done a phenomenal job," Gray stated. "We're really gonna miss him. He's a great person to
handle people in a small town, and he's always done the right thing and enforced the law fairly."
As Mayor, Gray is charged with appointing Barnett's successor, with the village board having to
approve that appointment.
"We will start by looking in-house," Gray stated. "We have an excellent police department and a lot
of long-term officers here and we respect their abilities. I think it's only fair to start looking in-house."
Barnett, who began his tenure as the Chatham Police Chief in February 1988, was originally
appointed by former Mayor Don Moore. Subsequent Mayors Carl Oblinger, Linda Koester and Gray
have re-appointed him.
"It's time to retire," Barnett, 70, stated. "This has been a great community to work in. I'm going to
spend time with family, travel and do some fishing."
Barnett came to Chatham after spending 20 years working for the Springfield Police Department.
When he came on board, Chatham had five full-time officers and a population around 6,000. Now,
Chatham has 14 full-time officers and a population well over 10,000.
"The town has grown so big in population and in geographic area," Barnett added. "The police
department here has a good reputation, and it's a good place to work. Officers here are very well
trained."
Four current members of the police department - Jim Dodson, Mike Bretscher, Steve Galloway and
Pam Newbanks - were on staff when Barnett was hired back in 1988.
Barnett added that he will stay on the job through the end of April and finish out his term. Asked if
he would have a recommendation for his successor, he said, "If they ask for my opinion, I'd be more
than happy to give it. But a lot of people would be interested in this job, and I think that says a lot for
our guys. People hear a lot of good things about our department."
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
Chatham Police Chief Roy Barnett will be retiring effective May 1, 2009, after 21-plus years on the
job.
Mayor Tom Gray made the announcement at Tuesday's village board meeting.
"Roy's done a phenomenal job," Gray stated. "We're really gonna miss him. He's a great person to
handle people in a small town, and he's always done the right thing and enforced the law fairly."
As Mayor, Gray is charged with appointing Barnett's successor, with the village board having to
approve that appointment.
"We will start by looking in-house," Gray stated. "We have an excellent police department and a lot
of long-term officers here and we respect their abilities. I think it's only fair to start looking in-house."
Barnett, who began his tenure as the Chatham Police Chief in February 1988, was originally
appointed by former Mayor Don Moore. Subsequent Mayors Carl Oblinger, Linda Koester and Gray
have re-appointed him.
"It's time to retire," Barnett, 70, stated. "This has been a great community to work in. I'm going to
spend time with family, travel and do some fishing."
Barnett came to Chatham after spending 20 years working for the Springfield Police Department.
When he came on board, Chatham had five full-time officers and a population around 6,000. Now,
Chatham has 14 full-time officers and a population well over 10,000.
"The town has grown so big in population and in geographic area," Barnett added. "The police
department here has a good reputation, and it's a good place to work. Officers here are very well
trained."
Four current members of the police department - Jim Dodson, Mike Bretscher, Steve Galloway and
Pam Newbanks - were on staff when Barnett was hired back in 1988.
Barnett added that he will stay on the job through the end of April and finish out his term. Asked if
he would have a recommendation for his successor, he said, "If they ask for my opinion, I'd be more
than happy to give it. But a lot of people would be interested in this job, and I think that says a lot for
our guys. People hear a lot of good things about our department."
Chatham Clarion
 | |  | |  | |  |
Issue Date: March 26, 2009