St. Cloud Mayor Names Interim Police Chief

ST. CLOUD -- With St. Cloud Police Chief Dennis Ballantine's retirement arriving at the end of the month, Mayor Dave Kleis has named Assistant Police Chief Rich Wilson as the Interim Chief.

Kleis says Wilson has the experience and leadership to run the department. And, in the meantime the mayor says he will be talking to members of the police force to see what ideas they have to add.

Kleis will then form a citizens committee to start the search process.

That committee will determine the selection process, interview candidates and narrow the field of finalists to three.

Mayor Kleis will then interview those finalists and ultimately pick the new chief.

Kleis thinks we will have a permanent Police Chief in place by spring or summer.