LAW ENFORCEMENT Floor takes over as the chief of Salem Police Department

The new police chief plans no immediate changes.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- The new police chief's biggest change may be seeing the city by day that he's served by night for years.
Robert Floor took over this week as the replacement for Michael Weitz, who retired at the end of March.
Council passed a resolution Tuesday commending Weitz for his service to the department for 30 years.
Floor, 51, became a city patrolman in 1982.
He spent the past 17 years working the night shift, and before that, he spent six years on the afternoon shift. As a result, the new chief says he'll spend some time meeting with community members.
"I'll be getting out and letting them get to know me and getting to know them," Floor said.
Weitz had overseen many of the department's technological changes during his 10-year tenure.
Floor said, "I took over a good department that was being well-run."
He said city Safety Director Scott Cranmer's experience and advice have been helpful. Floor added that he had a good relationship and is a good friend of Weitz's, who offered any help if needed.
A new police department computer system with high-speed Internet access was ordered before he took over, but it has yet to be installed.
No rush to change
Floor said he plans no immediate changes. "I've learned not to go too fast, or there's a tendency to trip," he added.
When it comes to management style, Floor said he believes informed people perform better.
As part of the changes brought on by Weitz's retirement, Sgt. David Casto was named the new lieutenant to replace Floor, and Patrolman Frank Dumovic is the new sergeant.
Floor said many candidates already have taken the civil service tests to become the replacement patrolman. Required physical agility tests are being scheduled.
The city will eventually pick one person from the pool of those who took the tests. Floor said it will take several months to complete the process.
Floor previously served with the Lisbon police for 21/2 years as a patrolman and dispatcher.
Before that, he served in the Air Force's security police for four years, including a tour in the United Kingdom. He has tracked down the former members of his unit online and is planning a reunion with them later this year in Branson, Mo.,
Floor has been married for 17 years to his wife, Karen.
His hobbies include golf, and, he jokes, "never-ending home improvements."
wilkinson@vindy.com