WESTFIELD, Ind. — Westfield Police Department Chief Joel Rush is stepping down after more than 14 years in the post.
The 59-year-old, who has led the department since October 2009, is retiring effective March 1, the city announced Friday.
"Chief Rush has done an outstanding job leading the 77-member department, navigating COVID, instituting a myriad of professional processes and best practices in criminal technology to make Westfield one of Indiana’s safest cities," Westfield Mayor Scott Willis said in a statement.
Rush is a 1989 Indiana Law Enforcement graduate with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and minor in counseling psychology from Ball State University.
"When I accepted the role as chief in Westfield 15 years ago, I never imagined we would find not only a wonderful work opportunity but also a community Debbie and I love," Rush said. "I’m forever grateful for my time leading one of the finest police departments in the state."
Willis has appointed assistant chief Scott Jordan, who's been with the department for 28 years, to serve as interim police chief. The city said a successor will be announced "in the coming days."
