The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department is pleased to announce the appointment of officer Jason Blinks as the temporary-interim police chief, effective July 1. Jason Blinks succeeds Doug Shannon, who is retiring after serving in law enforcement for the past 35 years. Officer Blinks will proceed as temporary-interim police chief until Dec. 31, at which point, a review will be conducted to determine if Officer Blinks will be appointed as police chief.

“After much consideration, I am happy to announce that my selection for Police Chief for the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department is Jason Blinks,” Mount Vernon mayor Tom Wieseler said. “Jason’s education, experience, and commitment to our community makes Jason a strong fit for this important role.”

City administrator Chris Nosbisch said the temporary-interim designation is to fit in with the bill of rights for the police department, and has a very specific time frame on it.

Council member Scott Rose and member of the committee that oversees the police department said that the committee had determined they had the candidate they wanted for the position and why the city was not conducting a regional or national search.

“We’ve had a healthy discussion at recent meetings after Shannon announced his retirement and knew we had the right candidate we wanted for the department,” Rose said.

Jason Blinks has served the Mount Vernon and Lisbon communities for the past eight years as a police officer and continues to serve with the Fire Departments for Lisbon and Mount Vernon. Jason obtained an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Ellsworth Community College and is currently working to complete his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice through Upper Iowa University and currently serves as a Taser instructor and Field Training Officer for the police department.

“I am honored to be selected as police chief for the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department,” said Jason Blinks. “I look forward to working alongside the dedicated officers and staff of the department and continue ensuring the safety of our community, maintaining public trust, upholding the highest standards of law enforcement, and working with residents to address their needs and concerns.”

“We are confident that Jason Blinks will provide steadfast leadership and continue to guide the department through this transition,” said Wieseler. “We are committed to ensuring that our community continues to receive the best service and protection possible.” Jason Blinks
will work directly with Chief Shannon over the next few months to provide a smooth transition.”

Blinks will make $91,000 as the temporary-interim police chief, and will have his salary increase to $98,000 per year when he moves into the permanent police chief position.

“By the end of the year, he will be within grasp salary wise of where chief Shannon is,” Nosbisch said.