By Jason C. Mattox

The Town of Como recently welcomed a new interim police chief, the town’s second in a year.

Last week, Fred Boskey was chosen from a pool of applicants that included other Como police officers.

Boskey, a one-year employee with the Como Police Department, came to the town after Hurricane Ike forced him and his wife to evacuate to Mississippi from Texas.

“My wife has a niece in the area that she has always been fond of,” he said.

The promotion is Boskey’s first job as Chief of Police in 35 years in law enforcement.

Boskey began his career in 1976 with the West Memphis Police Department and retired with the rank of inspector, the department’s third highest post.

“When I retired from West Memphis, I went to work with the Marion (Ark.) Police Department and worked two years there as their criminal investigator,” he said.

Boskey said he has attended several training sessions for investigation, supervision and other topics over the years.

“I have attended countless training classes, and I have worked my entire career to get ready for this,” he said.

The new interim chief said he would like to thank his predecessor for helping to move the department in the right direction.

“The employees that were here from the Panola County Sheriff’s Department did a good job for the people in the Town of Como,” he said. “Chief [Mike] Davis and assistant chief [Earl] Burdette were working hard to bring us into the new century.”

 Boskey said he will continue trying to improve the department by looking for grants for equipment and technology.

“We need to be in the 21st century,” he said. “I am going to work hard to make sure that my officers have the best possible equipment and training.”

Boskey, late last week, named Harold Lewis as his assistant chief.

“Harold has done a great job with us, and he is continuing to just get better and better,” he said. “I want to thank him and the board for their support in this job, I hope it is one I hold until the Lord calls me home.”