Patrick Moers sworn in as Henderson’s new police chief

Joined by his family, friends and fellow officers, Patrick Moers, Henderson's new chief of police, took the oath of office at the July 17 City Council meeting.

"My family was excited when they found out," Moers said. "They know how hard I've been working for this. As a family, they have to endure just as much as I do with long days, long hours and missed family events. They make a sacrifice, too. They are a great support network for me."

City Manager Jacob Snow recommended Moers for the job at the July 3 City Council meeting.

At the July 17 meeting, Snow said he had talked about the candidates with a former city employee.

"She went through all the (Henderson police) captains and had nice things to say about all of them," Snow said. "But she particularly focused on Patrick Moers. She told me how impressive he was and what a good, solid candidate he would be for chief of police."

Moers was chosen from nearly a dozen other candidates.

Before accepting the new position, Moers served as interim police chief after former chief Jutta Chambers retired in March.

Moers grew up in a law enforcement family in Chicago.

"(Law enforcement) was always interesting to me," Moers said. "When you're exposed to it, one thing you see is how your family serves other people, and you recognize that as being important."

In 1990, Moers' father retired and moved to Henderson.

"I moved out here partly to escape the winters," Moers said.

Originally, Moers was going to return to Chicago and apply for the police academy.

"But I decided not to put all my eggs in one basket," Moers said.

He tested with the Henderson Police Department and passed, becoming a patrol officer in 1991.

"The city was expanding at the time, and I thought there would be a lot of opportunity," Moers said.

Moers said his family was proud.

"Of course my mom was always concerned about aspects of policing," Moers said. "But she was very happy."

Since 1991, Moers has worked in different departments including patrol, traffic, crimes against persons and investigations.

"I loved them all," Moers said. "It was fun meeting people at all different levels and gaining experience."

Each area had its favorable aspect, from riding a motorcycle when he was in the traffic unit to instructing fellow officers.

He has been promoted through the ranks and was named deputy chief in 2012.

Moers said all his experiences will help him as police chief.

"This was the next step," Moers said. "I've always been prepared to take leadership roles. There were a lot of people qualified that put in for the position. I felt I was as qualified."

Moers said the most important quality for a chief is patience.

"You have to be able to evaluate a lot of things," Moers said. "You don't want to react right away. You want to be able to look at things and see what the facts are, get input and then make decisions based on the facts."

But some aspects of being a police chief remain the same.

"We are one of the safest communities in the country," Moers said.

Moers said under his leadership, he wants to maintain safety while improving the department. In the future, he hopes the department gets more involvement from residents and community groups.

"Not making them come to us but having us go to them," Moers said.

Moers added that he wants to expand the number of residents involved in the department's action review committee, which looks at topics such as use of force.

When not working, Moers is with his wife and three children. Whether it is traveling or going to school functions, his free time revolves around them, he said.

It is also his family that serves as a motivator as chief of police.

"I have a particularly great stake in the community," Moers said. "I have a commitment to make it safe for my family and neighbors."

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.