By James Feichtner

After nearly 40 years with the Fishers Police Dept., police Chief George Kehl has announced that he will retire in September 2016. Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness announced Aug. 11 that assistant police chief Mitch Thompson will be named the new police chief.

“I am so grateful for Chief Kehl’s leadership and his tireless service to our community,” Fadness said. “Under his command, the police department has grown into a dynamic, nationally accredited agency that takes a proactive approach to policing.”

As one of the longest-serving police chiefs in Indiana, Kehl joined the department in 1975 as a part-time deputy marshal. By 1978 he became police chief. During his tenure, the police department has grown from one sworn officer to a department of 103 while leading the department to become a nationally accredited institution. Kehl has led the department during explosive population growth, and instituted policies that ensured Fishers remained one of the safest cities in the United States.

“Not only has Chief Kehl protected Fishers for the last 40 years, but he has built a team that will keep us safe for decades to come,” said Mayor Fadness. “He’s announced his retirement now to ensure a seamless transition for the new department leader.”

Throughout his career Kehl has achieved numerous personal accolades. Some of these include his attendance and graduation from the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy, participation in the 2001 Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar and his service as president of the Indiana Chiefs of Police in 2006.

“Serving my community has been the greatest honor of my life,” Kehl said. “Our police department is one of the finest in the country, and I have enjoyed every minute of making Fishers a safer place to live, work and play.”