Fennville’s new police chief could start as soon as April after accepting an employment offer from the city.
Rudolph Johnson III of Charleston, S.C., was offered the Fennville Police Department chief position on Jan. 3 after a committee interviewed four candidates.
“I think what impressed us most about Rudolph during the interview process was how he views his role as a police officer as a mentor and a teacher, along with his desire to be a pillar of the community,” Mayor Dan Rastall said Friday, Jan. 13, after announcing Johnson’s acceptance of the offer pending completion of a background check. “I think Rudolph will bring caring and compassion to the position and will be a great role model for the younger members of our community.”
Johnson is now assistant chief of police at the Allendale Police Department in South Carolina. He has been a narcotics detective, probation and parole agent and officer.
Previous police Chief Greg Rekucki announced his resignation in November. His last day was Jan. 1.
The commission discussed contracting for law enforcement coverage from the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department but decided to stay with an independent department. The chief is the only full-time officer. Part-time officers are also employed, though the city does not have 24 hours a day, seven days a week coverage by its own department, relying on the sheriff’s office and Michigan State Police in off hours.
The city has switched between its own department and contracting with the sheriff’s office since the city was incorporated in 1961. The city department was re-established in 2013 with Dan Hoffman as chief. Hoffman retired in 2016 and was replaced by Mel Brummel. Rekucki became chief in 2017.
Johnson will make $56,000 a year, according to Rastall.
“Once we have a firm start date, we can set up a meet-and-greet introduction,” Rastall said.