Family ties in Imperial led new police officer to town

    Having grandparents who called Imperial home led Imperial’s newest police officer to apply for an open position here.
    Kreighton Baxter, 26, worked his first shift as a police officer Monday, which fills a position in the department that’s been open for three months.
    Baxter’s great grandparents were Tiny and Margie Weiss. His grandparents, Bud and Karen Weiss, lived in Imperial until their move to Hastings in 1965. The new officer is the son of Mitch Weiss and Janya Weiss, also of Hastings.
    Baxter recalls the times his family from Hastings would come to Chase County and hunt deer in the fall.
    “I was interested in the community and what it’s like,” he said.
    For now, as a non-certified officer, Baxter will always be on duty with another police officer, said Chief Ryan Wisnieski.
While the new officer will be in on the decision-making at times, he won’t respond to a call without another officer present, Wisnieski added.
    He will be able to make most arrests, with the exception of DUI and speeding.
    Wisnieski said they’re hopeful Baxter will get enrolled in the Law Enforcement Training Center class in Grand Island that starts in September. If so, that class concludes in December.

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