ARMINGTON -- A new police chief is in place in Armington, ending weeks uncertainty about police protection for the Tazewell County town of about 400 people.

Chad Eimer, 33, who has been on the job since Oct. 5, was honored Tuesday at an open house, said village trustee Tom Staak.

"He is a very personable and professional young man," Staak said. "We have been very pleased with what we have seen so far."

Eimer has had previous stints as a police officer in Dwight and Atlanta, where he currently resides. Eimer knows the area well, having graduated from Olympia High School in rural Stanford.

"This will be a great learning experience for me," Eimer said. "I would like to get more into the administrative side of law enforcement, and this allows me to do that as well as serve on active patrol."

Police protection was provided by nearby Minier, but an intergovernmental agreement was dissolved in early August following a dispute between Minier Police Chief Daryl Weseloh and the Armington Village Board. The coverage under that agreement formally ended Oct. 4.

"We're a small, little bedroom community and we have our issues as every small town does," Staak said. "Chief Weseloh is a good guy, but we just had a few differences. We believe that all of that is in the past now and we are hoping and praying for the best as we move forward."

Eimer said Weseloh has been a valuable source of information during his first few weeks.

"He has been great and extremely helpful during this transition period and I look forward to continue working with him," Eimer said.