Shamrock Appoints New Police Chief

SHAMROCK, Okla. (AP) -- The town of Shamrock appoints a new police chief, a move taken to help end the shutdown of its police department.<br/><br/>Creek County Assistant District Attorney Mike Loeffler

Tuesday, July 18th 2006, 6:14 am

By: News On 6

SHAMROCK, Okla. (AP) -- The town of Shamrock appoints a new police chief, a move taken to help end the shutdown of its police department.

Creek County Assistant District Attorney Mike Loeffler ordered the department shut down July 13th after a county sheriff's deputy learned Shamrock's former police chief, James Bland, was not certified by Oklahoma to act as an officer.

The town Monday appointed one of Shamrock's former reserve officers, Billy Hickman, as the new chief. Town officials hope to use a loophole in state law to end the shutdown.

State law requires all officers and deputies to be certified by the state Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.

Hickman is not certified, but officers are granted a six-month grace period upon hiring to complete the training.

Shamrock is northeast of Bristow and has a population of about 100.