WESTFIELD, Ind. — Officials with the city of Westfield announced on Friday that Joel Rush, the city’s police chief, will retire in March after more than 14 years of service.
According to a news release from the city of Westfield, Rush has led the Westfield Police Department since October 2009. Rush’s retirement will be effective starting March 1.
Westfield Mayor Scott Willis appointed Scott Jordan, the department’s assistant chief, to serve as the city’s interim police chief. The release said that Rush’s official replacement will be announced “in the coming days.”
“When I accepted the role as chief in Westfield 15 years ago, I never imagined we would find not only a wonderful work opportunity but also a community Debbie and I love,” Rush said in the release. “I’m forever grateful for my time leading one of the finest police departments in the state.”
Under Rush’s leadership, the release said the Westfield Police Department has been accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies since April 2016, an accreditation that officials said is the “gold standard” for accreditation for public safety agencies. The department also received federal certification under the Presidential Executive Order on Safe Policing for Safe Communities about the use of force and related policies.
“Chief Rush has done an outstanding job leading the 77-member department, navigating COVID, instituting a myriad of professional processes and best practices in criminal technology to make Westfield one of Indiana’s safest cities,” Willis said in the release. “He has been a trusted partner, and I cannot thank him enough for his service to our community. I’m delighted that he and his wife, Debbie, will continue contributing to Westfield through their many volunteer activities.”
