The next Sioux Falls Police Chief will be Lt. Matt Burns.
Mayor Mike Huether named Burns to take over the department once current Chief Doug Barthel retires. Barthel announced last week that he will retire in October.
Burns is a 19-year veteran of the Sioux Falls Police Department. He was promoted to assistant police chief earlier in the year.
Huether hopes that Burns will be able to work closely with Barthel in the coming months and learn what he can from the outgoing chief.
The city council must approve of the nomination.
Just a few months ago, Matt was promoted to Assistant Chief, now just a week after Barthel’s retirement announcement, Matt is promoted again. And as I understand it, the city council wasn’t told about the promotion until minutes before the 10:30 police briefing today where it was announced.
Well it seems like most things ‘Huether’ another decision ram-rodded through? But it also makes you wonder if this has been in the works for months? Nothing against Matt, I’m sure he will do a fine job, but some may be wondering why not a national search? Especially with crime soaring over the past week (ironically since Barthel’s announcement where the mayor accused ‘naysayers’ of blowing the crime growth out of proportion) we have had stabbings, shootings, a physical attack, widespread vandalism, and home invasions (in almost every zone of the city). Seems Matt may have his work cut out for him.
Once again though, the mayor denies transparency to his legislative branch and ram rods something through. Screw the naysayers.