Florissant Chief Prepares to Step Down, City Gets Ready for New Leader

With Wednesday’s announcement of , the next step for the leader of the Florissant police force has yet to be announced.

Mayor Tom Schneider said Wednesday afternoon to “stay tuned” for more details but said it would not be long until more information is revealed.

Chief Karabas will be retiring after 50 years of public service as a police officer, including 11 years with the

According to a press release issued by the mayor’s office Wednesday, Chief Karabas is credited with bringing the Drug Awareness and Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program to the city as well as the state and for creating the St. Louis County Emergency Management System, which will enable coordinated radio communications between first responders. The system will be established in 2014.

The chief’s retirement will be effective Dec. 31, 2012, but he’s already received an outpouring of support from officials and residents.

“On behalf of the City Council and the Citizens of Florissant Mayor Schneider would like to express our gratitude for a job well done and wish Chief Karabas continued good health and happiness in his well deserved retirement,” the mayor said in the press release.

“Florissant Police Chief Bill Karabas is one of the finest men I have ever known,” former Councilwoman Karen McKay wrote on an earlier Patch article. “Best wishes Bill for a job well done!”

Resident Maria Jansen wrote, “We will miss this wonderful chief. It will be tough, if not impossible to find an equal replacement. God bless you in your retirement!”

Mayor Schneider said that residents can expect a number of toasts and roasts for the police chief as he prepares to step down from his post.

Who do you think will be the next police chief?