New city police officer coming on duty in July

    A new Imperial police officer will come on duty next month, and will arrive with experience in law enforcement.
    However, as Police Chief Ryan Wisnieski announced the hiring of Chris Bustillos of Colby, Kansas as Imperial’s newest officer, he’s also getting ready to advertise for another officer again due to a recent resignation.
    Officer Rob Rusk resigned May 23, after working for the city more than four years. He was hired in October 2016.
    With his resignation, the Imperial Police Department is operating now with just two officers until Bustillos comes on duty July 13.
    Even with a reciprocal arrangement with Kansas, Bustillos will have to  compete four weeks of training at the Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island.
    But, that’s much less than the 16 weeks of training non-certified officers have to complete when hired with no previous law enforcement experience.
    Bustillos is a certified officer in Kansas, and works as a K-9 officer in Colby.
    He has also volunteered as a track coach in the local schools.
    He will move to Imperial with his wife and two children, the police chief said.
    Bustillos was hired to replace Officer Kreighton Baxter, who resigned earlier this year.