The City of Centralia hired Harlan Hatton as its new chief of police at its Board of Aldermen meeting Monday. City Administrator Heather Russell described what led to the hiring.

Russell says the city is excited to move forward with Hatton as Chief of Police.

Hatton was selected out of a pool of 15 applicants. He last worked as a Sergeant in the Columbia Missouri Police Department. Russell also says the city will hire another full-time officer in the near future.

In the meantime, the city will continue to collaborate with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department to have a plan developed to ensure effective law coverage for the city.