A new police chief was sworn into office Thursday in Chicopee, Massachusetts ending a two-year controversy over who should be the city’s top cop.
Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos appointed William Jebb police chief. Jebb is a 27-year veteran of the Chicopee Police Department.
" Public safety is paramount. I am going to work diligently to put my best efforts forward. I know the men and women of the Chicopee Police are up to the challenge," said Jebb.
The state civil service commission overturned the police chief appointment made last year by Kos’s predecessor because Jebb, who received the top score on the chief’s exam, was passed over. Earlier this week, a state judge refused to block the appointment of a new chief on grounds Jebb did not satisfy a residency requirement in the city charter. Chief Jebb conceded the controversy has hurt morale in the department.
