By SHEILA G. KELLEY

News Editor

“I see people at their worst times and I want to give them hope that tomorrow is a new day,” recently-hired Peabody police officer Megan Chizek said.

Chizek, 26, has lived in numerous places around Marion County so she knows the area well.

She is excited about her new role as patrol officer and detective investigator.

“I’ve wanted to be an officer for as long as I can remember,” she said. “It’s better late than never.”

She worked dispatch in Marion County for six years.

She also served as part-time Peabody officer from Aug. 2017 until she was promoted to full-time in April.

“We try to hire from within if possible,” Police Chief Bruce Burke said. “Officer Chizek worked hard to learn our system. When the opportunity to become full-time arose, she applied. I am very thankful to have her. It’s a small department and hard to find people to be successful in this environment.”

Chizek completed the 14-week Kansas Law Enforcement training in Hutchinson Aug. 10 along with Peabody resident, deputy Kaylan Miles.