Bob Rivers, a 23-year veteran of the Crawfordsville Police Department, has been promoted to assistant chief of police by Mayor Todd Barton.
A Crawfordsville native, 46-year-old Rivers said his experience on the force and with the community makes him uniquely qualified for the position.
“The mayor talked to me and said he feels a lot of the officers here respect me and my opinion, and that I would work well with (Chief Mike Norman),” former Det. Lt. Rivers said. “He thinks I’ll be able to help keep this department heading in the right direction.”
Rivers took over for former assistant chief Jim Sessions on Wednesday. On Thursday, he said he is settling into the role — just as tensions between police and citizens are on the rise.
Focused on improving that relationship, Rivers said he is here for the community.
“That’s what we’re here for — the people,” he said. “Our whole job is to be here for the citizens and to protect them. There’s a lot of trust issues with the police right now, but I want to let them know we are here for them. Here, locally, we feel very fortunate that we’ve been greatly supported.
“We notice and appreciate it, and we’ll always do everything we can to keep that support.”
Other goals set by Rivers in his position as assistant chief of police include streamlining promotions within the department and keeping a full staff in order to better serve the community.
In the meantime, he is looking forward to getting to work.
“My goals are in the title of my position: I’m here to assist the chief in any way I can,” he said.
