Robert Haus appointed as Arnold officer-in-charge — again

What’s old is new again within the Arnold Police Department.

Mayor Shannon Santucci on Tuesday appointed Robert Haus as officer-in-charge of the department.

“We had to make a move,” Santucci said. “It’s the best resolution for the police department and the community at this time.”

And it’s a move that’s not unfamiliar to Haus or city officials.

Haus, who’s worked in the Arnold Police Department for 8½ years, was the city’s interim police chief between former Chief Eric Doutt’s retirement Jan. 1, 2024 and the hiring of Josh Stanga as chief the next month.

But Stanga was placed on administrative leave last August. He is charged with five misdemeanor counts including theft, obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence and related offenses in connection with what state investigators called a sting operation to gauge the chief’s integrity.

That case is still making its way through the court system.

“We’re awaiting the outcome of Chief Stanga,” Santucci said Tuesday.

Haus was appointed officer-in-charge last August but stepped down in March over a disagreement regarding pay rates and job title, both he and Santucci said at the time.

Over the past months, Santucci, a former Arnold police chief, handled administrative duties within the department.

Arnold was able to resolve those disagreements and place Haus back in the officer-in-charge position, Santucci said. Haus will be paid $82,000; the salary for Arnold’s chief.

“We had to come to an agreement, and an agreement was made,” Haus said.

Santucci spoke highly of Haus’ work.

“I couldn’t ask more of him,” she said. “He’s been nothing but professional and understanding.”

During the meeting, Haus said he and Santucci are working to improve department operations including recruitment; training opportunities; and obtaining grants for things like body cameras, in-car police computers and more.

Arnold currently has seven officers: five full-timers and two part-timers. They are looking to hire three more full-time police officers, Haus said.

Haus said people can address comments about the police to him.

“I know that, unfortunately, we’ve had some ups and downs in the department,” he said. “We’re trying to get that all squared away and worked out.”