Post Messenger Recorder -

On June 14, 2017, in Monroe, Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer administered the oath of office to Monticello's new Police Chief, Szvon Conway. This was the second time Conway had been administered the oath of office. The first time was on June 7, 2017, in Monticello. Although it was unusual for a municipal Police Chief to receive the oath of office twice, it followed months of discussion over who would be the new Chief following the retirement of Chief Tom Erb, who had served the village for over 40 years. The Oath of Office ceremony held in a courtroom in Monroe was attended by supporters, friends, and family, as well as some Monticello Village Board members, District Attorney Craig Nolen and Green County Sheriff Mark Rohloff.

Originally, Conway had been excluded from consideration for the job when it was posted internally. When the position was opened for outside candidates, Conway applied again. A group of friends and family supported him, attending board meetings, where a number of people spoke, sometimes in tears, sometimes with raised voices. The group also gathered petition signatures, sold t-shirts and campaigned for him on social media. In an interview, Conway said he had nothing to do with those efforts.

Sue Moen

At the start of the Oath of Office Ceremony for the new Monticello Police Chief Szvon Conway, held in Monroe on June 14th, a flag was donated to the Village of Monticello by Leaora and Kirk Miller, Kristofer and Kassidy Miller, Tara and Jay Dailey, Roger and KenLyn Walmer and TJ and Mike Emberson in honor of Chief Szvon Conway.

At a Special Village Board meeting held on May 25, 2017, in a closed session, the board approved the hiring of Conway for the position. Conway approved the board's release of the meeting minutes from that closed session. Conway was hired at a pay rate of $24.00 per hour, and he will work a 40-hour week, with overtime if necessary. During the June 7, 2017 Village Board meeting, Conway was also approved to work outside of the Village of Monticello for Green County Sheriff's Department, Lafayette County Sheriff's Department and the City of Darlington. The board set up a series of goals for Conway which will be reviewed in four month increments. The board offered a 50 cent per hour increase in hourly wages as these goals are met. The meetings to review these goals will be held in October 2017, February 2018, and June 2018. The goals will be discussed in closed sessions. The board said that the purpose of these reviews was to ensure that Conway receives the support and training he will need to successfully assume control and lead the Monticello Police Department.

Chief Conway sat down for an interview on June 7th, on his first day in the position, and he was accompanied by Monticello Village President Teresa Dunlap. When asked what he saw for the future in the Monticello Police Department, Conway said that he would like to start a neighborhood watch program to stop crime and assist with drug issues. He also said he was looking forward to working with the Monticello School District and possibly starting a Police Explorer program for kids. He also said he was looking forward to doing classes in the school, like internet safety, stranger danger and others.

Chief Conway noted that he was looking forward to his new job and saying his heart and soul had always been with Monticello.