Chadbourn Police Chief Steven Shaw, left, and former Chadbourn chief Robert Mumblow joke about who’s called “Chief.”

• Robert Mumblow, former police chief in Chadbourn, returned last month to the department where he’s the new assistant chief to his former assistant chief, Steven Shaw.

By BOB HIGH
Staff Writer

The former police chief in Chadbourn is now the assistant chief to the chief of police who was his assistant chief.
What?

Police Chief Steven Shaw’s top assistant is now Robert Mumblow, who was chief in Chadbourn from February 1996 to January 2003. Shaw was Mumblow’s chief assistant during the last years Mumblow headed the department.

Mumblow returned home to Chadbourn in December after serving nearly three years in Kosovo and Afghanistan where he was training police officers.

Almost immediately upon his return, Mumblow became an auxiliary officer. Shaw hired him in March. “I couldn’t get him to leave, so I figured I might as well put him to work,” Shaw said with a laugh.

No big problems

“It was rather intimidating to start with, having my mentor working for me, but there haven’t been any big problems,” Shaw said.

“One of the biggest problems has been what to call him. He hired three of the present staff, and they were used to calling him ‘Chief.’ Sometimes, they still do, but that’s no big deal with me, because they call me ‘Chief,’ too,” the present chief declared.

Shaw said he stayed in touch with Mumblow during the past three years, and would often message him for advice in certain situations.

“I’m very comfortable in this situation, and Steven and I have always worked very well together,” Mumblow added.

Laundry run

Shaw said he remembered well the time he was Mumblow’s top assistant. “In other words, I went and got his laundry,” the present chief joked.

“Steven has done a good job here. It was tough when he took over,” Mumblow noted.

“Some changes he made in policing that began in 1997 have paid very good dividends and continue to be a part of our routine work,” Shaw pointed out.

Mumblow is officially captain of the uniform (patrol) unit, and assists Detective Lt. Donald Britt and Shaw in major investigations.

Uniformed officers in Chadbourn are Matt Parker, Dennis Brisson, Eric Hunt, Chad Williamson and Mike Adkins. Auxiliary members are Phillip Britt, Brian Campbell and Anthony George. Nicole Horniak is the administrative assistant.