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At a recent Linden City Council meeting, Police Chief Richard Varner told the Council that he and an interview committee recommended a recruit for hire with the Linden Police Department.

The Council unanimously approved hiring Kewuan Jones as the department’s newest addition. Varner said that Jones isn’t certified yet and will have to attend the APOSTC (Alabama Peace Officers Standards & Training Commission) Law Enforcement Academy in Tuscaloosa. Classes at the academy begin in January.

“I think he will be a good officer for the City of Linden. We’re looking forward to hiring him,” said Varner.

Varner also discussed purchasing another new vehicle using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and  asked the Council to approve a trade in of the Tahoe he currently drives for $23,000. The money from trade would go into purchasing a new Chevrolet Silverado that costs approximately $49,000, not including police lights and siren.“The Tahoe is currently having transmission problems,” said Varner.

The city would be responsible to pay the difference in the price at $26,000, which Mayor Gwendolyn Rogers said the city does have left over from previous projects.

Councilmember Kelly Anthony will work with Varner to determine how much adding lights and sirens will cost and will present it to the Council at the Oct. 17 meeting.