By Bill Raack, KWMU
Clayton, MO – A 26-year veteran of the St. Louis County Police Department is the agency's new chief. Timothy Fitch was named police chief Wednesday by the Board of Police Commissioners.
Fitch replaces Chief Jerry Lee, who is retiring. While Lee reportedly butted heads with County Executive Charlie Dooley over officer pay, Fitch says he has good relationship with Dooley.
"We're going to move into the future and we're going to work with the county administration to give our officers and all of our employees the best possible benefits that we can," Fitch said.
Board chairman Gregory Sansone says Dooley had no influence over Fitch's hiring.
"The County Executive had nothing to do with the choice that we made, zero," said Sansone. "There was no lobbying to me, there was no suggestion, there was no recommendation, there was nothing."
Fitch, 47, has been the commanding officer of the Division of Operational Support. He was also a candidate for the chief's position when Lee was hired five years ago.