Centreville getting its own police

The village of Centreville is less than a month from starting up its own police department.

After contracting law-enforcement service through the sheriff’s department for more than 20 years, the village has decided to run its own police force.

Village president Jeff Johnson said interviews with chief candidates took place over the weekend. The village has allocated a $40,000 annual salary for the chief, who will lend a hand in hiring two part-time patrol officers, Johnson said.

Johnson said village officials have estimated an in-house police department will cost about $112,000 a year, a savings of approximately $50,000 annually compared to Centreville’s contract with the sheriff’s department.

A new Chevy Tahoe vehicle has already been purchased and will be used as the primary police vehicle.

The department is expected to start Feb. 17.