The Bainbridge Island Police Department has hired another member to add to its ranks. This time, though, its for deputy chief.

Jeffery Horn, a long-time officer of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, will begin his new role as second-in-command to Bainbridge Police Chief Matthew Hamner starting Monday, Aug. 4.

“He’s well-qualified for the position and an excellent fit for this community,” Hamner said.

Hamner worked alongside Horn for 20 years at the Indianapolis police department.

Now, Horn will assist the chief with the day-to-day operations at the Bainbridge police department.

“With Deputy Chief Horn leading the daily operations of the department, I’ll be able to spend more of my time on strategic long-term planning and building community relationships,” Hamner said.

Hamner began searching for someone to fill the position around the same time that the city decided to withdraw its petition to the state to break up the union for the city’s police officers. City officials had been considering removing the police department’s four lieutenants from the Bainbridge Police Guild, the union that also includes patrol officers.

Although Hamner said he did not advertise the opening, he called upon contacts he has gathered over his 25 years in law enforcement and the many national organizations he is involved in to find candidates for the job.

Hamner interviewed seven individuals for the job over the last month, four from Washington and three from departments out of state.

Horn, Hamner said, represented the same vision he has for the Bainbridge police department.

“I know Jeff Horn on a personal level,” Hamner said. “I know he brings exactly what we need on Bainbridge Island.”

Horn completed his training from the Indianapolis Police Department’s Training Academy in February 1995. Since then he has served as a patrol officer, neighborhood resource officer, field training officer, accident investigator, sex crimes detective, sex crimes detective sergeant, field supervisor, training instructor and training supervisor.

“I am very much looking forward to having him aboard,” Hamner said.