The Hillsboro Police Department has been transformed over the past few months, according to city officials and staff.
In January, numerous problems in the department came to light, and Hillsboro officials considered eliminating the department and contracting with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to provide police services.
Instead, city officials brought in retired Sheriff’s Office undersheriff Steve Meinberg to head up the department in an effort to turn things around.
At the time, Meinberg’s title was police administrator, and he was expected to work there temporarily. However, Meinberg, who has since been named the Hillsboro Police chief, said he plans to stay with the department for the foreseeable future.
He is being paid $65,000 a year as the Hillsboro Police chief.
Hillsboro Mayor Buddy Russell said he is thrilled with how the department has come around under Meinberg.
“I think the (Hillsboro Police) are wonderful,” said Russell, who was elected mayor in April. “They’re very professional. (Meinberg) is just a great leader.”
City Administrator Jesse Wallis agrees.
“We have come a long way since January. We still have work to do, but we are on the right track,” he said. “I have confidence the Hillsboro Police Department will do everything they can to keep the citizens of Hillsboro safe and bring to justice those who do not follow the law.”
Before Meinberg arrived, however, the department appeared to be in turmoil.
Former Hillsboro Police Chief Steve Hutt resigned Jan. 14, after the Sheriff’s Office began investigating the department amid theft allegations and other problems.
Another police officer was fired after the problems were revealed, and Hillsboro Mayor Joe Phillips resigned Jan. 18, saying he was tired of dealing with the stress the city was causing him and his family.
The Sheriff’s Office temporarily took over command of the Police Department in mid-January, under a short-term agreement with city officials.
That agreement ended Feb. 1, when Meinberg took over the department.
Meinberg said he agrees the Hillsboro Police Department has made positive strides since then.
“It’s stabilized,” Meinberg said. “Back in January, they were in bad shape. Nothing criminal, nothing malicious.”
He said the investigations into former Hillsboro Police officers have ended.
“There are not going to be any charges,” he said. “I think the city wants to move on. “
However, the Sheriff’s Office investigation into the Hillsboro Police Department uncovered problems with how evidence had been stored and how officers had not received proper training, as well as other problems. So, all those issues had to be addressed, Meinberg said.
“Absolutely, training has been added,” he said. “The evidence/property room has been completely audited and procedures are followed. That was one of the first things we did, get it under control.
“We’ve scheduled more training. In the next month we’ll probably have had more training since I’ve been here than they had the last two years.”
Meinberg said the department is also adding officers.
“We had eight officers (at the time he arrived), including me,” he said. “We’re authorized to have 10 now. With the new budget year (which begins July 1), we can have 11.”
Meinberg said he wants to see the department continue to progress.
“I think we’re pointed in the right direction and are moving in the right direction,” he said. “The only frustration I have is I can’t move as fast as I want to move. But, we are moving.”
Meinberg said he hopes Hillsboro residents realize how much the department has improved.
“I want them to know they have good people working here who have genuine concern for the safety of the citizens,” he said.
Hillsboro officers said they appreciate what Meinberg has brought to the department.
“I have been really pleased with the way he has taken over,” Officer Mary Woodward said. “We have come very far. We’ve done a complete 180 and it has a lot to do with him. He knows what he’s doing.
“I have a lot of respect for him. I can’t think of a better person to be in charge of the department.”
Officer Gavin Hopler said he believes Meinberg has addressed the problems the Sheriff’s Office investigation brought to light.
“We’ve got more procedures in place,” he said. “We’ve fixed the issues that were around before. I think we still have work to do as far as the public perception, but things are definitely better.”