New South Bethany police chief sworn in

SOUTH BETHANY, Del. – South Bethany Police now has a new chief at the helm who will hopefully help them recruit and retain officers.

Chief Jason Lovins was sworn Friday night at the town hall. The town’s mayor says he was chosen out of 50 applicants and came out “on top” after every round. Lovins has more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement, between Kentucky and most recently Dewey Beach. He also served in the Navy.

Lovins tells 47 ABC his top priority as chief is the recruitment and retention of officers.

“Right now the number one priority is the recruitment and retention of officers. We’re very short handed on police officers right now. To the point where we actually have contracts with the Delaware State Police, Fenwick Island and Ocean View to actually cover some of the patrol hours and responsibilities of the police,” says Chief Lovins.

He admits it’s a challenge but says he remains hopeful they will fill those positions soon.

“So a lot of young men and women are much more discouraged now to become a police officer than in the past. So it’s a nationwide problem. It’s also a Delaware problem. But there are still a lot of young men and women that have a passion for the job and they want to serve there communities in the capacity of law enforcement and those are the ones I’m looking for,” says Chief Lovins.

Another challenge that Lovins says South Bethany faces is the number of people that come into town during the warm months.

“One of the big challenges of South Bethany is the summer influx. The population quadruples form the winter going into the summer. So that’s a strain on a police department. You need a certain number of police officers to be here for the summer population but then what do you do with them in the winter when it’s almost a ghost town?”

Lovins tells 47 ABC he hopes to create an inviting atmosphere in the South Bethany community.

“I want them to get to know us. I want them to get to know us. I want them to know our Police Department. I want them to feel very comfortable. ‘Hey I know him. I have a personal relationship with him. I can stop in his office at anytime. I can wave down a police car, not because I need help but I just want to say hi how’s it going?'”

The Chief tells 47 ABC that South Bethany already has a recruit in the State Police Academy and another out of state officer, who is going through the classes to get certified in Delaware.