Newly-sworn-in Maryland Heights Police Chief Bill Carson told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he believes the department is the best in the state and has a lot of outstanding and talented professionals.

Carson spoke with the newspaper after being sworn in as chief during the Maryland Heights City Council's Jan. 3 meeting.

From the article: 

Carson started his law enforcement career with the St. John Police as a patrolman in 1979, then moved to the Richmond Heights Police Department in 1982...

Carson said Maryland Heights Police is an aging department, with about 75 percent of its officers over the age of 40...

His department is one of the largest in the region.

The city has a population of 27,472 within 23.42 square miles, but the population swells  because of the influx of visitors to the Hollywood Casino St. Louis, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis, Westport Plaza and the other commercial areas.

Former Police Chief Tom O'Connor retired in December, making way for Carson, who previously served as the department's commander of Support Services and Office of Professional Standards.

The Maryland Heights City Council unanimously approved Carson's hiring in August.

The employment agreement indicates Carson will receive an annual base salary of at least $113,000, with an annual increase of $5,000 with "satisfactory performance evaluations."

For more on Carson, read the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's story.