Council approves internal promotion to deputy police chief, effective July 1

The St. Joseph City Council approved a proposal to create and internally fill a deputy chief position in the police department, with the chief saying the role will primarily manage patrol supervisory duties, investigations and administrative workloads.

Police leadership described the position's background and operational purpose: the role had been evaluated and graded in 2023 and added to the budget to take effect Jan. 1, with a proposed start for the promoted deputy chief on July 1. The chief summarized the rationale: to increase evening supervisory coverage, "help alleviate some of these shortages," oversee investigations and manage growing volumes of data and public‑records requests.

The chief said the posting would be internal for seven days and, if a sergeant is promoted internally, the department would backfill sergeant and patrol positions from within. He told councilors, "Everything that I do, everything that patrol officers do, I can do as well," to explain the supervisory redistribution and to stress that the deputy chief would focus on management rather than primary patrol duties. Councilors asked about call volumes and the share of medical calls; the chief said medicals were a major category and that behavioral-health calls often require multi-hour responses.

After questions about eligibility, backfill and timing, a council member moved to approve the promotion; the motion was seconded and the council voted in favor. The council recorded the motion as carried on voice vote. The chief said he does not anticipate hiring an additional full-time officer in 2024; longer-term staffing and 2025 budget discussions remain to be determined.

The promotion is intended to be an internal advancement rather than an outside hire; staff will proceed with posting and internal selection as outlined by the chief.