New Chester police chief must finish stint in Iran
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CHESTER -- The city's new police chief said that he always envisioned a career in law enforcement.
Charles Stanley, who Chester city council appointed Monday night to replace Todd Murray, had to learn about the official decision overseas, as he currently is wrapping up his work as a diplomatic security K9 handler in Iraq through the end of the month. He expects to be administered the oath of office by Jan. 1.
Murray is leaving as Chester police chief to become the new chief deputy for Hancock County Sheriff-elect Scott Gittings, both of whom had previously served with Stanley at the Hancock County Sheriff's Office.
It was that relationship, which triggered Stanley's eventual employment by the city of Chester.
During an interview conducted via email due to the geographic distance, Stanley said it was Murray and Gittings who approached him to garner his interest in the Chester police chief job.
The trio had worked together for the Hancock County Sheriff's office for two decades, before all deciding to eventually leave.
"(After his election), Gittings decided on Murray for his chief deputy. (Murray and Gittings) asked if I would be interested in taking over the position of chief," Stanley continued. "I was quite honored to be considered. They recommended me to Mayor Ken Morris. I spoke with Mayor Morris, and I assured him that I would accept the position if offered. City council approved the matter. I leave Iraq around the end of December, so I'll assume the duty at the first of the year. "
A 1988 graduate of Oak Glen High School, Stanley enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves, pursuing law enforcement and his military police company was activated to Germany for the duration of Operation Desert Storm. After returning home and finishing college, Stanley worked for the Hancock County Sheriff's Office from 1992 to 2015, serving as a patrol deputy, canine handler of two K-9 partners and eventually achieving the rank of lieutenant all the while accumulating all sorts of awards and commendations.
"I retired (in 2015), because I wanted to work on a contract overseas. Beginning in June 2015, I have been working as a contractor for the U.S. Department of State, being a diplomatic security K-9 handler," he continued." I work with an explosive detector dog (bomb dog). We search vehicles and packages entering the U.S, Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq and the U.S .Consulate in Erbil, Iraq. We also clear venues and travel routes for explosives prior to diplomatic missions as needed."
Stanley wrote that that he would like to think he was offered the job "based on my many years of work experience, knowledge of the law enforcement job (including supervisory level), and my maturity. I am already known in a positive way by many people in the community. I am looking forward to working with the current members of the police department, the mayor, and council members. Chester is a great community, with a lot of great people," he added.
He said that he has no preconceived notions of changes that he seeks to make. "I want to get to know the people I am working with, and what the current needs of the police department and city are. Beginning new programs (such as K-9) will have to be looked at as a 'needs vs. cost' based around a budget."
Stanley and his girlfriend, Alexandra, live with her daughter in the Chester area. He has two grown children: son Colin is an Army paratrooper and daughter Kara is forensic science student at West Virginia University.