Lindenhurst picks new police chief

A lifelong Lindenhurst resident who got his start in law enforcement in his hometown will become the village's next top cop.

Tom Jones, currently an administrative sergeant for the Northfield Police Department, was selected as Lindenhurst's new police chief by the mayor and village board, officials said Thursday in a news release.

Jones begins his new position April 1.

"We are confident that Tom Jones possesses the experience and energy needed to lead our police operation," Mayor Susan Lahr said in the news release.

Jones will succeed Kevin Klahs, who has been chief since 2010 but is taking over as the village's operations director. Klahs is replacing Wes Welsh, who recently retired.

Jones began his career as a member of the Lindenhurst Police Explorer program and has spent the last 11 years as a part-time officer for the village. He's spent the last 21 years with the Northfield police - the last 10 of which as administrative sergeant.

He has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University.