LOUISVILLE, Ky. — There's a new police chief in Charlestown, Indiana.
Mayor Treva Hodges swore in Eric Kruse as chief during Wednesday's board of public works meeting. Kruse previously served as a lieutenant in the department.
Sergeant Jonathan Roederer was promoted to assistant police chief.
“I’ve always wanted to be a police officer for as long as I remember, dating back to when police officers intervened and saved mine and my sister’s life when I was a child,” Chief Kruse said. “The last few years of my career at Charlestown, I have been passionate about training and developing younger officers around me.”
Kruse joined the department in 2013 as a dispatcher and soon became a reserve officer. He became a full-time police officer in 2015, was promoted to sergeant in 2021, and to lieutenant earlier this year.
Kruse is a graduate of Charlestown High School.
“In conversations with our officers throughout this search process, Eric Kruse’s name consistently came forward as a person who has earned the trust of the department and the community,” Mayor Hodges said. “I look forward to serving with him and helping him bring his goals for the department to reality. His selection of Sgt. Roederer as his Assistant Chief shows his commitment to careful decision making and will be a good match for his energy and goals for the department.”
Chief Kruse takes over for Tim Wolff, who is retiring.
Wolff served as chief for four years, but worked at the department for 22. He grew the number of officers to 18 and guided the department through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ve wanted to be an officer in Charlestown since I was very young,” said Wolff. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve as a Charlestown Police Officer these past 22 years.”
Wolff said working with the mayor and city council to obtain 21% salary increases for officers was also among his proudest accomplishments.
“Tim Wolff has been an excellent chief for our department,” Hodges said. “His approach to leadership has ushered the Charlestown Police Department through some extremely challenging times precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The positive impact he has made over his many years of service will carry us into the future as we grow and it’s been an honor to serve with him for the last four years.”
Wolff will remain with the department through January to oversee the transition. Hodges said she met with each officer individually before making her decision.
All officers were given the opportunity to apply for the position.
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