From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
HAYDEN – Tuesday, September 25, the city of Hayden selected its first police chief during a regular Council meeting.
Former retired Oneonta Police Chief James Chapman was appointed the position by the Council after a unanimous vote according to CBS42.
“Its an opportunity for me to build up the police department from the start,” Chapman said. “I know how the police department operates, I know what needs to be done, I know what how to get it started.”
The mayor of Hayden, Larry Armstrong said the newly appointed position stems after Hayden experienced crime including burglaries and a drug problem in the area.
The Blount County Sheriff’s Department does not cover the entire city, so this addition of a police department will help administer the problem.
New police chief James Chapman says this is only the beginning and anticipates the town will continue to develop.
Chapman retired in 2016 after serving with the Oneonta police department for 32 years.