Former Chaffee police chief becomes Scott City patrolman

Former Chaffee, Mo., police chief Martin Keys has found new employment -- in Scott City.

The Scott City Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the city's police board, which reviews applicants for open positions, to hire Keys as a patrolman, with a starting pay of $10.58 per hour plus benefits. Accepting the recommendation of the police board is typical practice for the Scott City Council.

Keys, who was one of two patrol officers hired by the council at its Aug. 20 meeting, was recommended by a unanimous vote of the city police board.

Police board president David Crader said he anticipates some questions from the public about the decision but that Keys was the most qualified candidate. Crader also said Keys was open in his interviews with the police board, explaining the situation in Chaffee was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Chaffee put him into the chief's position," Crader said. Crader said Keys had roughly five years of experience when he took the Chaffee position in Aug. 2006, which Crader said, in his opinion, wasn't enough experience to handle chief responsibilities.

Crader said the police board unanimously recommended Keys because they believe he'll do a good job and keep the city's best interests in mind.

Scott City Police Chief Don Cobb said he trusts the decisions made by the city's police personnel board and that careful consideration was given to each candidate.