Board approves appointment of David Center as assistant chief of police

The Board of Aldermen approved the appointment of David Center as assistant chief of police during the Sept. 2 meeting. Chief Klinger introduced the candidate and said he and Center had worked together previously in a non-police setting and that Center’s training and experience would benefit the department. Chief Klinger told the aldermen an independent interview board had unanimously recommended Center for the position. The appointment was moved by Alderman Cleave and seconded by Alderman Kelly. The board approved the appointment by voice vote; aldermen confirmed they had seen the candidate’s resume prior to the meeting. Why it matters: The council’s approval fills an organizational vacancy in the police department and formalizes an internal personnel designation that often requires board approval under city ordinance. What to watch: No further formal actions were recorded in the meeting minutes related to the police department appointment; the department will proceed with onboarding and department assignments.