Friends, family, fellow officers and community members gathered at city hall Friday to celebrate the promotion of Maricopa Assistant Police Chief Kirk Fitch to Chief of Police.
“Kirk was instrumental in helping the city build a quality police department,” said Maricopa Mayor Anthony Smith. “I look forward to what he can do for the city in the future.”
Fitch and Public Safety Director Patrick Melvin both came to the city in 2006, charged with the responsibility of building a police department (see related story).
“I wanted to go to a smaller department where I could be more hands on,” Fitch said.
Although Fitch received a promotion, his paycheck and duties will remain largely unchanged, according to City Manager Kevin Evans. “Right now we are in a position that he won’t see a penny extra.”
Evans restructured the police department this year by eliminating the assistant chief’s position that Fitch previously held. “I am trying to get more work for the same amount of money,” said Evans.
While his duties will remain constant, Fitch will now be a more public figure. “Police Chief is one of the most visible members of a community,” he said.
In the next year Fitch said there are many challenges the department must face, but perhaps the most difficult is to continue to operate under the current financial crisis. “We are going to have to look hard to find the resources we need.”
One thing that Fitch added would help alleviate some of the financial pressure is the creation of a police reserve program. “The reserve program will give us access to trained officers, working on a voluntary basis.”
Currently the program is in development, and Fitch said two potential volunteers have been identified. “We have someone to run the program and hope to have it up and running this year.”
While Fitch said he is not sure about how much longer he will wear the badge, his intention is to retire from Maricopa.
“We have come a long way, but we still have a lot left to accomplish,” he said.
Photo by Michael K. Rich
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