The city of Emporia named its new police chief Tuesday, choosing Olathe police Capt. Clark Morrow, City Manager Matt Zimmerman said.
Morrow has been a captain in Olathe since July 2003 and has been with that department since January 1989. Before that, Morrow served in the police department in Fairview Heights, Ill. He holds a degree in criminal justice from Washburn University.
The city manager's office finished interviewing for the position on Nov. 12. Morrow will replace Mike Heffron, who retired in December 2006.
For more on the new police chief, see Wednesday's Emporia Gazette.
admireed (anonymous) says...
Has to be a great hire. Go Ichabods!
November 20, 2007 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
minorityinemporia (anonymous) says...
Thank God ! Now we will get those drug dealers near William Allen White School
November 20, 2007 at 6:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hillbilly (anonymous) says...
and also maybe, just maybe, he will start enforcing the laws that lopez has told the officers to ignore, , lopez did not want stir up any problems, while making $32.00 + per hour (lopez's wage) . And maybe he will STOP handing over the violators of , driving with restricted licenses, hit and runs, stealing, rapes, and OTHER BROKEN LAWS within the city and county to the warlords, sorry, I meant to say the elders'. Seams like the warlords, sorry elders want to take care of the own, so when ever one of their own have a problem, they are quick to get the police to release them.(was told this by a Emporia Policeman with many years on the force here). hella of a way to learn laws and learn to live in a civilized society.
And most of all maybe the new Chief will not be a puppet to those who try to tell him how to handle people and problems within the city, especially if they work at Tyson. Chief Morrow, PLEASE get a handle on Emporia's crime problems before it is to late, I dont want to see the city become one that no one wants to live the rest of their lives in. Thank you
November 20, 2007 at 8:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
The hiring of Capt. Morrow could be an extremely positive step for Emporia. Having been actively involved in running a modern police department in a larger city he should bring a lot of experience, and hopefully improvements, to our police department and our city. An outsider is often able to see problems more clearly than a biased local. It's easier to see the game from the stands than from the playing field. I hope he is an independent man of strong resovle and not easliy swayed by the local imbedded "old boys" clique who would love to control the strings of a puppet police chief. Emporia could use some good news and positive image enhancement about now. Capt. Morrow may be just what the doctor ordered for a formerly nice city immersed in turmoil and striving to be all it can be.
November 20, 2007 at 10:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
equalrights (anonymous) says...
Hillbilly--
it's not up to law enforcement to punish the offender. That is the job of the courts, judges, etc....why blame officers for that? All they can do is arrest someone then it's up to the district attorney.
November 20, 2007 at 10:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hillbilly (anonymous) says...
excuse me equalrights, no doubt you must be a defense attorney, or try to play the part of one, THE OFFENDER must at least be arrested, paper work filled out, maybe taken to the local police or sheriff dept for, well you know the drill, all that horrible stuff that cops, officers, chief of police, deputy's, have to do went actually take time to arrest someone . THEN unless all charges are torn up and the violator is turned over to their warlord, sorry elder, the chance of ever hearing the word COUNTY ATTORNEY wont happen, and YOU KNOW THAT....
November 21, 2007 at 7:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
etown (anonymous) says...
Now maybe they can start getting rid of some of those deadbeat hillbillies!
November 21, 2007 at 8:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hillbilly (anonymous) says...
we, yes even I who has just made 2 posts since yesterday, ALMOST all have an anonymous name on here, and as I have read over the last couple of months that IT is OK to post comments here using such. And it seems that any name can be used ( yes I am from S. E. Missouri, retired now in Emporia for more than a few years now), by whomever posts on the gazette site, even you etown, NOW since you have a problem and or find it fun to post a comment as you just did, PLEASE accept my apologies for any thing that I will say towards you and your posts in the future, deadbeat was a word I would of not used. etown, just grow up, Emporia has enough problems, sounds like you might be a x-city official , so go ahead humor yourself instead of facing the ACTUAL problems within the city and county, maybe go find some rental houses that need your help, sounds like that is where you want to go with your comment?????
November 21, 2007 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
equalrights (anonymous) says...
Well I wasn't trying to start an argument, in fact, I do agree that their is a problem I just don't think it falls on law enforcement.
FYI, I'm a student at ESU and am for VICITM'S rights not offenders. I am however, pro-law enforcement. They are only allowed to do what the city officials and LAWS allow.
As to why you would make it personal about me and what I do for a living simply because I don't have the same opinion as you seems in poor taste but whatever.
November 21, 2007 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hillbilly (anonymous) says...
just who would you suggest be the people or ,who does the the citizens of Emporia need to turn to enforce the local laws and protect the streets and citizens of Emporia? OK your a student fine.. when you get hit by a drunken driver or a driver without proper driving permits and or licenses, just who do you feel should be the one to call to handle the offense,, and just what good is law enforcement in your mind? like I said before, maybe the citizens of Emporia will NOW have a Chief of Police that will instruct his officers (law enforcement) to do their job in protecting the citizens of Emporia, without being swayed by the crocked city commission OR others in authority who feel violators be overlooked because of who they are OR where they work. And yes, its hard to believe, but it is going on here in Emporia right now, maybe your next essay should be on the truth about Law-enforcement in Emporia.
November 21, 2007 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LilJHawkFan (anonymous) says...
This is the weirdest thread I have ever read. Some of you need to get a life...amazing....
November 21, 2007 at 11:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ladybug1 (anonymous) says...
Wow! What city do you live in? I live in Emporia and it's not nearly as bad as you seem to make it out.
November 21, 2007 at 11:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jmb232 (anonymous) says...
From what I hear Chief Morrow is a fine officer and will serve the citizens well.
November 21, 2007 at 12:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hillbilly (anonymous) says...
jmb, that is all that we, well, a lot of the citizens of Emporia want, and I agree, that he WILL be a fine chief.
November 21, 2007 at 12:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
etown (anonymous) says...
Yeah, I'm not sure what town some of you live in. To listen to this thread, you would think Emporia is a crime infested cesspool. Never realized that. Yes, there are problems, to the extreme that Hillbilly wants you to believe, doubtful. Hillbilly, you call me out for making the "deadbeat" comment, but somehow it's ok for you to personally attack people who don't share your opinion of paranoia? You have an ax to grind with your city officials? Do something about...vote during the next election.
November 21, 2007 at 1:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
equalrights (anonymous) says...
I'm not going to argue with you. It's clear that you are trying to pick a fight.
We will just have to agree to disagree.
November 21, 2007 at 1:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
minorityinemporia (anonymous) says...
Fact ! if you do not graduate from high school and you hang around people who do drugs , then you will end up supporting the habit by stealing. There are some drug dealers here in Emporia , and they love it here because they feel that they will never get caught ! 16 policeman cannot patrol 30,000 people , the citizens of Emporia must get involved !
November 21, 2007 at 2:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vankamp (anonymous) says...
ladybug1,
Try talking to the officers in town. You may have a different outlook on what is really going on here. They are made to look the other way on a lot of things going on here.
November 21, 2007 at 2:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
Hey, my fellow Emporians, let's take a break! It appears we are crying over spilled milk that has already been wiped up and the glass refilled! We have had some law enforcement "oversights" in the past but we now have a new, highly qualified, motivated police chief capable of doing right things right. On this day before Thanksgiving, let's give thanks for this positive step forward and pray that Capt. Morrow dispenses equal justice for all.
November 21, 2007 at 4:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
equalrights (anonymous) says...
amen.
November 21, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthinkin (anonymous) says...
Chief Morrow & family - Welcome to Emporia & very BEST wishes for your success. I'm grateful you accepted the offer.
November 23, 2007 at 9:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
ladybug and others who have no idea about what really goes on along the streets of Emporia, be more observant. Also, go downtown to the police station and make arrangements to go on a ride-along. At night preferably, 3rd shift. Spend one or two shifts with an actual police officer or two.
November 24, 2007 at 6:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
old_soldier (anonymous) says...
Just heard Mr Morrow WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING the position of police chief...
November 26, 2007 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
We're working to confirm that rumor. Keep watching for updates.
Gwen Larson
Managing Editor
November 26, 2007 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
netloafer (anonymous) says...
It's apparently official now.
November 26, 2007 at 12:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
minorityinemporia (anonymous) says...
That is crazy ! Why did he tease us ! We need him !!!!!!!!!!!!
November 26, 2007 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )