Elkins said the announcement to hire White County veteran law enforcement officer Jim Couch as police chief was officially made during the regular Helen City Commission meeting Tuesday. Elkins said Randy Deshon was named to serve as building and zoning administrator; that announcement was made Wednesday morning.
According to Elkins, the city had 35 applicants for the position of police chief and Couch was selected from a field of eight finalists. Couch is currently serving as captain/patrol division commander with the White County Sheriff's office. He has been employed by White County since 1996, and he has an additional 18 years of professional law enforcement work prior to that.
Couch will begin employment for the city of Helen on May 31, under the guidance of current chief Ted Ray, and will assume the Chief's position when Ray retires on June 30th.
According to Elkins, Deshan has worked for the White County Building Department and will also start his employment with the city on May 31. Elkins said with the downturn in the economy, the city had eliminated the building and zoning position and Police Chief Ray had been serving in that position. Elkins says Deshan will be ready to jump right in to the position.
Jim Couch
http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/5/248190