By: Donovan W. Mann – donovanm@977thebolt.com
Full interview with Joel Sanders:
Humboldt, IA – Humboldt’s new police chief is looking forward to joining the community as he prepares to start his tenure.
As previously reported by KHBT Joel Sanders was hired by the City of Humboldt to be the next Police Chief for the Humboldt Police Department. He was one of over 20 applicants for the position and one of three finalists.
Sanders says that he is honor to have been chosen by the city to fill the position. “It’s an honor. I’m excited” Sanders says. He was up against a strong herd of other individuals who wanted the same position so it truly is an honor to him to be picked “out of the batch.” He says he is “happy to be coming to Humboldt.”
While in town Sanders says that he and his wife got a great first impression of the city. “My wife and I both came up early…and fell in love with the community” he says. The cleanliness and friendliness of Humboldt really stuck out to its new police chief. He says the “stumbled into one of the shops” got invited back the next day for coffee. Sanders says his wife has already developed a good friendship. “Just a very welcoming, warm community that fit what we were looking for when I started looking to advance my career.
Sanders is a man who was born, raised and now works and live in a small town before coming to Humboldt. He’s not shy about engaging with individuals and has plenty of law enforcement experience he brings to the police chief position.
“Any time anybody sees me, I’m there to be part of the community, so don’t be afraid to walk up and say hi. Don’t be afraid to engage me in conversation,” he says. He’s been a police officer for 30 years. His specialty is in mental health. The plan will be to work with the local providers to bring that same mentality to Humboldt. Sanders says he sees himself as a “community partner being assigned to the police department” and not an authoritarian leader.
Joel Sanders is expected to begin his time as the Humboldt Police Chief in mid-January. During the interview process all three interview panels had selected him as their top choice making him the clear choice to be fulfill the duties of the Humboldt Police Chief.