VERDIGRIS — Rogers County Undersheriff Barry Lamb will be the first police chief of Verdigris, Town Manager Joe Robinson announced Wednesday. Lamb will start Aug. 15.

“I think we’re blessed to get someone of his quality and experience,” said Robinson. “He’s got the knowledge, the background and the people skills we need.”

Lamb said he is excited about the opportunity to build a department from scratch.

“It’s a rare opportunity, as is the prospect of knowing that many years down the road, when it comes time to leave, I’ll get to leave something behind me. That’s exciting,” Lamb said.

Robinson and Verdigris Town Council have been searching for a police chief, the first ever

to staff that position, for several months. Lamb was one of the sources they consulted for guidance in drawing up the job description.

“We found out he was intrigued with the idea of starting a police force,” said Robinson.

“The town trustees and the town administrator have done an excellent job of laying a strong foundation for the department,” said Lamb. “There are several things that need to be built on that foundation before the department is ready to provide services.”

Things Lamb will be working on include: Finalizing a policy and procedures manual, working with the town government to fine-tune ordinances, getting the basic infrastructure such as equipment and reporting software, and getting the department officially recognized with state and federal authorities, said Lamb.

Other startup issues include, “a whole myriad of little things – ordering badges and uniforms, getting a volunteer force of reserves lined out and trained,” said Lamb.

Lamb said volunteers have to be CLEET certified.

“They have a reserve certification,” said Lamb. He will also conduct an in-house officer field-training program.

“Before any officer is turned loose to work by himself or herself that officer will have to be certified through CLEET and complete the field training,” said Lamb.

The Verdigris Police Department will be community-friendly and community-involved.

“We want to build the police department of Verdigris on the community police model,” said Lamb. “I want the police to be more than just a face behind the steering wheel as they drive down the road. I want them to get involved in the community and interact with them.”