A longtime Warrenton police officer has been appointed the city’s new chief of police. Larry Ellard, 44, has been promoted from lieutenant to take over permanently as the department’s head …
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Ellard named Warrenton police chief
Posted
By Adam Rollins, Record Staff Writer
A longtime Warrenton police officer has been appointed the city’s new chief of police.Larry Ellard, 44, has been promoted from lieutenant to take over permanently as the department’s head officer. The Warrenton Board of Aldermen approved Ellard’s promotion on July 18.Ellard said he began his career with the Warrenton Police Department as a patrolman in August 2000 and worked his way up through the ranks. Prior to that, he worked for the Warren County Sheriff’s Department.Throughout that time, Ellard said his satisfaction has come from bringing resolution to criminal cases.“It’s rewarding to accomplish our goal of putting bad guys in jail,” Ellard said. “It sounds cliche, but it can make a difference in somebody’s life.”There was a lot of work to do coming into the chief’s role, he said, but Ellard praised the officers and department staff, as well as every other city department, for the help they have provided during the transition.Ellard has been performing dual roles for almost three months since former Chief Greg Houdyshell left the department in May. Ellard was named interim chief and fulfilled that duty while also carrying on in his role as lieutenant.The chief’s job is to set goals and be the liaison between the department and the board of aldermen, while the lieutenant’s job is to supervise personnel and make sure the goals are carried out, Ellard explained. Doing both jobs has left him with “a pile of work.”The department will begin looking for a new lieutenant soon, he said, and will consider promoting from within or hiring an outside candidate.Moving forward, Ellard said the police department is reviewing all of its policies to become certified by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, a national authority in public safety.“We will have policies in place that are tested and proven,” Ellard said. “That’s going to be a long road. We’re looking at two to three years to get it done.”He added that the department will also continue its cooperation with the East Central Drug Task Force, a collective effort by various city and county law enforcement agencies to combat the spread of opioids and other drugs.Mayor Eric Schleuter said city leaders gave Ellard a list of objectives for the department while the city was selecting a permanent chief, and Ellard had fulfilled them all.“He proved himself,” said Schleuter, who was not present when the board promoted Ellard. “He’s got the tools to do (a good job). We’re going to keep giving him the tools to do it. He’s smart and he’s quick.”
Recently promoted Warrenton Police Chief Larry Ellard shakes hands with Mayor Eric Schleuter at Warrenton City Hall on Aug. 1. Record photo/ Adam Rollins.
