By Lucky Kidd, Ad Astra Radio
HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Hutchinson Police Chief Jeffrey Hooper has been terminated. City employees were sent an email Tuesday informing them Hooper had been let go effective immediately. City Manager Kendal Francis told Ad Astra News Wednesday morning that due to legal reasons, he cannot comment on the reasons for the termination.
Hooper had served as Hutchinson Police Chief since October 2018, coming on following the retirement of longtime Chief Dick Heitschmidt.
The city has engaged Strategic Government Resources to assist in the search for Hooper’s replacement. Francis said the first step in the process is developing a position profile, which will involve community stakeholders and members of the department. This is expected to take around two weeks or so to complete.
Once the profile is complete, the tentative plan is to allow 30 days for applications to be received, and another 30 days or so for the screening and interview process. Francis said his intent is to complete the process as expediently as possible but also as thoroughly as possible.
Alan Stoecklein, a retired Kansas Highway Patrol Lieutenant Colonel and one-time interim superintendent, is serving as interim chief. This is the second time Stoecklein has served in this role, previously serving as interim chief between the time of Heitschmidt’s retirement and Hooper’s hiring.
