Finalists Announced in Chief of Police Search

Published on August 06, 2026

Public Meet & Greet Event will be held August 12

The City of Gillette has narrowed its search for the next Chief of Police to three candidates. Scott J. Blystone, Jeffrey A. Hattersley and George Dingfelder have been named as finalists to lead the Gillette Police Department. The public is invited to attend a meet and greet event with the candidates on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.

Brief biographies for the candidates are as follows:

Scott J. Blystone is a seasoned law enforcement executive with more than 22 years of progressive leadership experience in policing, public safety, and organizational management. He currently serves as Captain of Uniform Patrol for the Portsmouth Police Department in Virginia, where he oversees staffing, resource deployment, citywide crime response strategies, and patrol operations. Throughout his career, he has held key leadership positions including Training Director, Commander of Special Operations, and District Lieutenant, with extensive experience in SWAT operations, criminal investigations, law enforcement training, strategic planning, wellness support for law enforcement officers, and community engagement. Scott holds a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology from Liberty University, a Master’s Certificate from the University of Virginia, and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Sciences from Youngstown State University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Class 286, and the University of Chicago Public Leadership Academy, Cohort 4. He has earned numerous professional certifications and awards recognizing his leadership, valor, and commitment to public service. Scott recently had an article published in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin titled " The Dangers of Groupthink and the Internet.” Most importantly, Scott is happily married to his wife Kathleen, and has built a family around raising their three young sons.

Jeffrey A. Hattersley is an accomplished law enforcement executive with more than 36 years of progressive public safety leadership spanning patrol operations, investigations, corrections, emergency management, and executive command. Most recently, he served as the Deputy Chief of Police for the Desert Hot Springs Police Department in California, where he oversaw daily departmental operations, strategic planning, budgeting, professional standards, communications, and community response initiatives. Previously, he spent eight years with the Grants Pass Police Department in Oregon as a Police Lieutenant and Public Information Officer, leading patrol, investigations, accreditation, and community engagement efforts, following a distinguished 27-year career with the Sacramento Sheriff's Department where he retired as a Sheriff's Sergeant after serving in patrol, investigations, airport security, corrections, and specialized leadership assignments. He has earned numerous awards including a bronze star for bravery and two lifesaving medals. Jeff's educational background includes a Master of Science in Leadership from the Ken Blanchard School of Business at Grand Canyon University, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Management from Union Institute and University, and doctoral studies in Organizational Leadership at Grand Canyon University, where he completed all coursework toward a Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership.

George Dingfelder is a veteran law enforcement executive with 37 years of experience leading public safety organizations at the local, state, and military levels. He currently serves as Chief of Police for the City of Alamosa, Colorado, where he oversees all departmental operations, budgeting, personnel management, strategic planning, community partnerships, and critical incident response. Previously, he served as Chief of Police and Interim City Manager for the City of Monte Vista, Colorado, Director of the Trinidad State College Police Academy, and Major, Captain, Sergeant, and Trooper with the Colorado State Patrol, managing operations across multiple counties and leading initiatives in community policing, organizational development, and officer training. George began his public service career as a Military Police Sergeant and criminal investigator in the U.S. Army. He holds a Master of Criminology and Legal Studies from Grand Canyon University, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Administration from Colorado Mesa University, and an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Mesa State College. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy, reflecting his lifelong commitment to executive leadership and professional excellence in law enforcement.

For more information, contact Public Affairs Director Jennifer Toscana at (307) 686-5202.