Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2021.

HUNTINGTON – The City of Huntington has announced that Police Chief Chad Hacker is retiring from the Huntington Police Department, and the process to select his successor is under way.

Chief Hacker first joined the Huntington Police Department in 1999 but has worked for the city since 1993, when he was hired into the water department. Starting with HPD as a Reserve Officer, Hacker earned promotions to Patrolman, Detective, Assistant Chief, Detective Sergeant, Detective Captain and second-shift Captain before being named Chief of Police in October 2014.

“I appreciate the trust that Mayor Fetters and Mayor Strick had in me, allowing me to be the Chief of Police,” Hacker said. “Thank you to all the citizens of Huntington for their support. The number of friendships made during this 22-and-a-half-year journey are amazing and I will always cherish them, and of course a special thank-you to my family for all of their love, support and understanding along the way. This journey would not have been possible without them.”

December 10 will be Hacker’s final day serving the Huntington community as Chief of Police. He has accepted a position with the federal government in Fort Wayne and embarks on this new chapter of his career with the full support and gratitude of HPD, the City of Huntington and Mayor Richard Strick.

Hacker’s leadership and integrity adeptly navigated Huntington through a difficult period for departments across the country. For the last several years, contentious debate about policing has sparked conflict in many cities and states and regularly made national headlines.

Mayor Strick commended Hacker for his service to Huntington as Chief of Police and his ability to rise above such challenges for the good of the community. The care and concern Chief Hacker demonstrated for others was his greatest strength, the Mayor said, referring to Hacker as a “true friend to people from all walks of life” in Huntington.

This touch was evident in not just his daily interactions with officers under his command and Huntington residents, but also in how he led the department’s response to the most challenging situations. For instance, Hacker engaged leaders of both sides of a demonstration and counter-demonstration in downtown Huntington in May of last year in the wake of national protests about police conduct. The calm and respectful tone he set helped ensure both sides could peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights in our community.

A top priority under Hacker’s leadership was preparing officers to do their work at the highest level every day and giving them the tools they need to do their job well.

“Our officers are trained better now than ever before, once they complete the Law Enforcement Academy and Field Training Program,” Hacker said. “The candidates we are hiring are all very qualified.”

Sixteen of Huntington’s 32 sworn officers were brought in with Hacker at the helm.

Notably, the new Huntington Police Station at 450 Cherry St. opened its doors in June of last year. The new facility incorporates modern amenities to help Huntington’s officers best serve and protect the community. Where HPD’s previous home on the first floor of the century-old City Building struggled to accommodate the department as it grew and changed over the years, Hacker saw to it that officers moving forward would have access to the best tools and resources.

The new, state-of-the-art facility also serves the purpose of being one of HPD’s strongest recruiting tools. At the time it opened, Hacker said that he sees the building as an investment that will continually pay off as Huntington will be able to attract and retain the “best of the best” officers.

Hacker also takes pride in HPD’s working relationships with the Huntington County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police and other departments in nearby towns, calling these groups “one team working together daily” to keep the citizens of Huntington County safe.

The process to select the next Chief of Police – who will have some big shoes to fill – has already started. City leadership will ultimately look to name the candidate who can best carry forward Chief Hacker’s success and accomplishments.

Regardless, Hacker will be hard to replace.

“I’m personally grateful to Chief Hacker for his friendship and counsel during my first two years as Mayor,” Mayor Strick said. “I wish him all the best and encourage our City residents to do the same. As difficult as this transition will be, I look forward to seeing the members of the Huntington Police Department continuing to grow and strengthen its resolve to protect and serve this community.”

Hacker said his daily focus as Chief of Police was to leave the department in better shape than when he started and work hard to put officers in the best position possible to do their jobs, be successful and go home safely to their loved ones.

“Thank you for your support and trust in the Huntington Police Department and me personally,” Hacker said. “I hope that I have served the community well.”