For the past three months, Scott Shoemaker has been the Deputy Police Chief for the City of Frankfort. That all changed Monday night when he named as the new Police Chief for the City of Frankfort.
“I’ve worked with Scott for the past three months and he’s gone over and above,” said Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets. “We’ve been through some very trying times in the last few months. I just felt like he was the person I needed to put in that position. I talked to other officers, other people in the community and he has come highly recommended. I know he’s going to serve the community very well.”
Shoemaker replaces Troy Bacon, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
“We’ve been trying to get this plan of succession in place for the past three-and-a-half years,” said Shoemaker. “I’ve been learning under the chief and now it’s time for me to run the department.”
As part of the succession plan, Jim Skinner was elevated from Captain to Deputy Police Chief. Elevated to Captain positions were Cesar Munoz and Brady Sorrells. Evan Hall and Joshua Ruben both move up to Lieutenant and Freddy Martinez was named as a new police officer.
“We have some great young people here in our command staff that are very well trained,” said Skinner. “They know the laws, they treat people fairly and they are going to expect the same from everybody they have working with them.”
Skinner previously served Frankfort as its Police Chief for about 11 years. He’s very happy with the direction the department is going.
“He (Shoemaker) is totally in control and I’m here to support him” said Skinner. “It feels great. I am willing to give everything I have left in the tank for the Chief and the City of Frankfort. I’m ready to get started.”
Sheets said elevating Shoemaker to the Police Chief position was the right thing to do.
“That’s what’s important right now for the police department,” said Sheets. “We’ve gotta keep the morale up, gotta keep them happy and want to keep our officers here. We want to them to know that the community cares about them and that we support them. I think Scott’s the person for that job. He’s going to lead them in the right direction.”
Shoemaker added his new position feels really good.
“It’s going to be a good time for law enforcement here in Frankfort,” he said.
Shoemaker takes over his new position on July 1.