MOUNT CARMEL - In an annoucement that was rumored since late November, Mount Carmel Mayor Larry Frost has appointed former Assistant Police Chief Mike Campbell to replace former Police Chief Jeff Jackson.
"We just wanted to make some interdepartmental changes," Frost said on Thursday.  "We felt like it would be in the city's best interest.  I felt like we needed to make the change and take the city in a different direction than in the past.  I do appreciate the job he [Jackson] has done, and I'm expecting him to stay with the city of Mount Carmel.  He is an asset and we are looking forward to this year."
The Review was informed of the change on Wednesday by Vice mayor Paul Hale, who has also been appointed as the town's new public safety director - a position also previously held by Jackson - and as police department liason to the board of mayor and aldermen.
When asked for additional comments in regard to the change, Hale said, "That's what the people wanted and it was a decision made by the mayor, and I believe everybody will support Mike in his new position."
Campbell reportedly joined the Mount Carmel Police Department in 1997. Jackson joined the department as a reserve officer in 1981 and became chief in 1999, naming Campbell as his assistant.