A new chief for the Dunbar Police Department was sworn in on Monday during city council's regularly scheduled meeting.Photo byGMSV

DUNBAR, W.Va. -- The Dunbar Police Department officially has a new chief.

John Garten, a former Charleston Police Department officer, was chosen from a pool of seven candidates, Dunbar Mayor Scott Elliott said Monday.

“I along with council members interviewed each one of [the candidates],” Elliot said.

Garten, who has been in law enforcement for more than 20 years, was sworn in during the Oct. 7 regularly scheduled city council meeting.

“This is a new chapter for the city of Dunbar,” Garten told meeting attendees after his ceremony.

Garten replaces former police chief Brian Oxley, who resigned in August. Lieutenant Owen Barker had been serving as interim chief during the search.

The Dunbar Police Department has been mired in controversy in recent years. The city and police force have both faced several lawsuits, some stemming from alleged incidents of excessive force by an officer still working for the department.

Garten contends that things will be different under his watch.

“Everything is going to be evaluated, transparent, and well-documented moving forward,” he said.

Other business

Also on Monday, Dunbar city council members:

• Approved $162,301.10 worth of invoices submitted for payment;
• Approved a revision to the city's budget, moving $95,000 worth of CARES Act monies to the general fund to cover expenses associated with a street construction project on Ohio Avenue;
• Approved a $2,250 payment to Garage Door Operators Inc. to repair a door on a city garage; and
• Approved two payments totaling $12,896 to State Electric Supply Company to purchase three lamps and banner arm poles to be installed on Ohio Avenue, among other items.

Panelists also approved a contract with CAS Cable, a Parkersburg-based telecommunications company in business since 1977. The company currently provides high-speed internet service in Charleston, according to its website.

Dunbar City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is set for Monday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at Dunbar City Hall, 210 12th St.

Michael Ramsburg is a Kanawha County communities reporter. He can be reached at ramsburgreports@gmail.comor by calling 304-370-3067.