The new chief

Wes Blair, a 16-year law enforcement veteran who is interim chief at Lancaster, Texas, near Dallas, was hired last week as Cape Girardeau's new police chief.

Blair was found to replace Carl Kinnison, who left last August to serve as director of the Law Enforcement Academy at Southeast Missouri State University.

The city took its time in finding the right person for the job; after 50 applicants, the city found its man, and Blair appears to have the credentials to do the job well.

Blair has been a federal air marshal and a border patrol agent, as well as his current post as interim chief.

As interim chief, Blair was instrumental in developing the building of a new police station and dealing with the corresponding budget challenges. Cape Girardeau's police department has long lobbied for a new or upgraded police station to relieve crowding and other issues with the facility. Blair helped ensure an operational crime lab was part of the city's plans.

In an interview with the Southeast Missourian, Blair said he believes in a community-friendly and responsive approach. He said he'd like officers to spend more time outside their vehicles, visiting with neighborhood children and building a rapport with residents. He wants to build trust in neighborhoods where crime is prevalent. He wants to be involved with mentoring programs that give positive interaction with police and increased presence at community events -- not for security reasons, but interaction.

Cape Girardeau has its challenges, as do all communities, with crime and safety. And so, too, Blair will have his own challenges here.

We welcome Blair's approach, and his services, to Cape Girardeau. Here's to a successful transition and an improved community.

We would be remiss if we did not also mention that for the last 10 months, the city's police department has been led by interim chief Roger Fields. Fields served admirably in this role, and we thank him for holding the post.

We hope the police officers, local law enforcement entities outside of Cape Girardeau and the community at-large will rally behind the new chief.