Elder Returns As Assistant Chief Of Harrodsburg Police Department
The Harrodsburg Herald/Robert Moore
From left: Harrodsburg Police Chief Tim Hurt, newly hired Assistant Police Chief Scott Elder, his son, Drew Elder, and Commissioner Missy Banks.
Robert Moore
Herald Staff
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Scott Elder has returned to the Harrodsburg Police Department as its newest assistant chief.
“I’m just happy to be back again,” Elder said. “I look forward to passing on my knowledge and experience to the younger officers.”
Elder was hired at a special-called meeting of the Harrodsburg City Commission on Thursday, July 11. The commission voted unanimously—Commissioner Kerry Anness was not in attendance—to hire Scott Elder as assistant police chief at $34 per hour, pending drug, alcohol and background testing. Elder’s hire goes into effect on Monday, July 22. He replaces former Assistant Police Chief Larry Wesley, who resigned at the beginning of March.
Elder began his career in law enforcement in Bell County back in 1997. He first joined the HPD back in 2001, moving to the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office—where he rose to become chief deputy—in 2009. He retired from the MCSO in 2022 and served as chief of the Burgin Police Department before rejoining the HPD as a sergeant. He has recently been serving as chief of the Junction City Police Department.
“He has strong community ties,” said Commissioner Missy Banks, who referred not only to Elder’s law enforcement career but also his experience as a basketball coach.
“His vision for the department is in line with mine and Chief Hurt,” said Banks, who said she wants the HPD to be a “powerhouse” and looking for community ties and community presence.
“It’s great to have an assistant chief to assist with our vision to eventually have a premier agency,” said HPD Chief Tim Hurt after the meeting. “It’s great to have a partner who will get more involved in community policing.”
“I appreciate the opportunity,” Elder said. He said he will work with the department to “give the city something to be proud of.”
