by TaLeiza Calloway – news@thenewsleaders.com
The St. Joseph Police Department will be led by one of their own when Police Chief Pete Jansky retires in August. The St. Joseph City Council offered patrol officer Joel Klein the position on Tuesday, April 16.
The 38-year-old Freeport resident is pleased with the council’s decision. Klein was one of three finalists for the position.
“I’m very excited about it,” Klein said. “I think it’s going to be a great experience. We have a great town, great people. I’m looking forward to working with the people I do because we have a great department.”
The offer came after a meet-and-greet with the public and interviews with city council members on Tuesday. The pool of candidates was narrowed from 19 to three.
The other finalists for the job were St. Joseph police Sgt. Dwight Pfannenstein and Sgt. Erik Lee, of the Crosslake Police Department.
Klein joined the department in 2001 as a part-time officer and has been a full-time patrol officer since September 2004. He and his wife Ann have four children: two daughters and two sons.
Jansky has served as the city’s police chief since December 2001. He announced his retirement earlier this year. His last day is Aug. 22.
