After nearly three months without a police chief, the Granby City Council announced on Tuesday night during the regular meeting that a new police chief was selected.

“We have voted to hire Gail Bass of Sarcoxie,” Granby Mayor Donna Fullerton said. “(In the past) he has been the chief of police for Duenweg and worked for Jasper County Sheriff’s Department.
He has been in law enforcement for about 22 years.”

Back in late August, then police chief Richard Hartman – who was the chief since March – issued a letter noting, “after careful consideration, I have decided to resign my position effective on Aug.
28, 2008 at 5 p.m. I made this decision after considering my future opportunity with the City of Granby, and due to another offer made to me for a Chief of Police position that I feel would be a better fit for my family and myself.”

Shortly after the letter was accepted, advertisements for a new police chief went out. Six applicants from the area and even one from Tennessee showed interest in the position.

The Granby Police Personnel Board reviewed the applicants and brought to the council two recommendations.

On Tuesday, the council interviewed the four applicants.

Prior to Hartman being hired, Bass had interviewed for the position. Fullerton also noted that he was the police personnel board’s first choice.

“He (Bass) said that he could start immediately,” Fullerton said.