High praises for new interim police chief

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

Noble Police Department hired Keith Springsted as the interim Police Chief. Springsted takes regular turns at driving a patrol and frequently visits the senior citizen center.

"I enjoy to get out of the office, when I'm not too busy doing paperwork," Sprinsted said.

A few months ago, the NPD came under pressure and their public relations with the public were also strained.

The NPD saw manslaughter charges come against two officers in the accidental shooting of a five-year-old Austin Haley, and the firing of two more officers.

According to the NPD, the public wasn't fully trusting of the authorities.

After spending 25 years working for Chickasha Police, Keith Springsted agreed to take the Chief position.

"The main challenge was personnel," Springsted said. "We were down to three and myself."

The force has since returned to full strength, stocked with some experienced officers, but Springsted said he would like to see more officers.

"I'd place units at each end of town, just to try to get traffic to slow down," Springsted said.

He's also trying to mend ill-feelings from the business community.

"He's a local-minded individual," businessman Jim Wolf said. "He's shopped here."