DEXTER HIRES KEN RINEHART AS TOWN'S NEW POLICE CHIEF

DEXTER -- In the parlance of the military, Ken Rinehart is trading his butter bar for a bird. In plain English, Lt. Ken Rinehart is now Police Chief Ken Rinehart.

Rinehart will now be sporting an eagle insignia, the rank of colonel and mark of a police chief. The Essex-area native was named chief Tuesday, giving the Dexter Police Department a commanding officer for the first time since early this year when Mike Almond stepped down.

The Board of Aldermen's Police Committee in closed session recommended Rinehart for the position, a move that endorsed in a unanimous vote by the full board prior to the start of Tuesday night's first regular session of the month.

Rinehart had been serving as a lieutenant since he was hired several months ago; before coming to Dexter, he had served with the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

His promotion to chief leaves veteran Dexter policeman Granville Gregory as the department's number-two officer. Gregory, who for years had served as the agency's main detective, oversaw the department's operations as a lieutenant alongside Rinehart.

Rinehart's promotion was met with applause from the board and the audience. A formal swearing-in ceremony will be scheduled later.