With the recent announcement of retirement from long time police chief, Ed Franks, the Bear Creek Town Council named his replacement at Monday night's council meeting. The council chose Officer Shane Whitten, who has been working for the Bear Creek Police Department for a total of five years.  Whitten released the following statement concerning his new job. 

"I have been privileged to work with Chief Edward Franks both part-time and full-time for the past few years. I count it an honor to succeed him as Chief. I appreciate the trust Mayor Morrison and the council have put in me. My goal is to serve the people of Bear Creek in every aspect of law enforcement and by preventing crime as the opportunity presents itself. I will continue the work I have started in searching out and destroying meth labs and arresting those who are buying the materials and making this illegal drug. Those who are addicted need our help to re-purpose their lives to be productive citizens. No one ever sets out to be hooked on drugs, but when it happens we need to be ready to act. I hope everyone in Bear Creek will be supportive of my appointment and feel they can call on me anytime." 

So far this year, Whitten has made twenty three arrests in Bear Creek. Ten of those were felonies, with thirteen misdemeanors.