In the May 23 issue of The Madill Record, it was reported that the Kingston Town Council voted to release the current Police Chief, Kasey Cox. Since that vote, Assistant Police Chief Steve Miller was the Interim.
The Kingston Town Council had a special meeting on August 16 to discuss four applicants and choose a police chief. After going over the four applications, the council hired Shannon Beshirs as the new Kingston Chief of Police.
Beshirs has been in law enforcement for 16 years, and going back to Kingston makes it full circle for him. He began his law enforcement career in 2008 as a Reserve Officer for Kingston. He transitioned to full time where he stayed for approximately a year. He then switched to the Madill Police Department and was there until being hired as Kingston Police Chief. He said he applied because Kingston is his home.
“Kingston always had a special place in my heart,” he said. “I guess I felt that it was appropriate to take my experience and the different training I’ve accumulated over the years and give it to the town.”
Beshirs is married with 10 children, ages 9 to 25 and has 4 grandchildren with one on the way. He said one of his children is following his footsteps. His 21-year-old son is an officer in Love County.
He said that not much is going to change after taking the helm.
“The administrative staff and people in their respective positions will remain in them,” he said.
This means that Steve Miller will remain the Assistant Chief.
“I have ideas, but I have to evaluate the inner workings of the department,” Beshirs said about change. “I’m not going to make any changes if it’s not going to work.”
Beshirs said he plans on getting to know the community.
“As I transition over into that position, don’t be surprised if we don’t have conversations,” he said. “I’m going to be going out in public and speaking with local businesses and residents to see if there are any issues. I won’t be made aware of the issues unless I knock on doors.”
“I’m going to be loyal to Kingston and each decision I make will be in the best interest of the city,” Beshirs continued. “I look forward to working hand in hand with the council in continuing to move the town in a forward motion.”
Beshirs said that he looks forward to working with the current officers and town administration because each one are hard-working people with good hearts and are what makes the town go round.