Wachsmuth is Encampment's new Police Chief

In a special meeting Thursday, the Encampment Town Council hired Grayling Wachsmuth as the new Chief of Police in Encampment.

Wachsmuth will begin his new job in Encampment Sept. 1.

Wachsmuth, who has worked in the police department for the town of Saratoga since 2004, said he is excited to start with the town of Encampment.

“It is going to be a good and positive change,” Wachsmuth said.

Wachsmuth was promoted to Chief of Police for the Saratoga Police Department in 2008 after Ed Lake resigned from the position.

Friday afternoon, Saratoga Mayor John Zeiger said Wachsmuth has done a good job as Chief of Police. “I can’t hold it against him if he wants to do something different,” Zeiger said.

Zeiger said with only 16 months left in his current term as mayor, it would be hard to recruit a new Chief of Police and plans to hold off any appointments until after the next election.

Assistant Chief of Police, Tom Knickerbocker will be in charge until a decision is made, Zeiger said. This issue will mostly like be discussed at the Sept. 17 town council meeting, Zeiger said.