Colfax hires new police chief

By LeAnn R. Ralph

COLFAX  — For all intents and purposes, it appears as if the Colfax Village Board has finally hired a police chief.

The Colfax Village Board approved an employment agreement with Bill Anderson at the April 28 meeting.

The village board approved the employment agreement pending Anderson’s successful completion of a physical and a psychological evaluation.

Anderson currently is employed by Chippewa County as a deputy sheriff in the patrol division.

The employment agreement approved by the village board establishes an annual salary for Anderson of $51,000.

Anderson will begin his duties in Colfax on May 12.

Colfax Police Chief Pete Gehring officially retired as of April 27 but has agreed to stay on duty in Colfax until May 23 to ensure that Police Chief Anderson has two weeks of orientation.

The Colfax Village Board previously selected two other candidates to fill the position who did not ultimately fulfill the conditions of employment, such as passing a background check.

The village board held special meetings in closed session on April 21 and April 23 to discuss details of the employment agreement offered to Anderson.