It's official at last — Babka gets new job

Beau knows the South Salt Lake Police Department. And now, Beau will know the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office.

After weeks of rumors, one of the worst-kept secrets in law enforcement was made official Tuesday. South Salt Lake Police Chief Beau Babka has accepted an offer to become the new undersheriff for the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office once Sheriff-elect Jim Winder takes office in January.

South Salt Lake police made the announcement official in a press release Tuesday. A press release from the sheriff's office is now expected to come within a week.

Babka's last day with South Salt Lake Police will be Dec. 29, according to the department. He will assume his new duties Jan. 1.

Babka joined the South Salt Lake Police Department as a patrol officer in 1992 and quickly worked his way up the ladder to the rank of captain in 1998, assistant chief in 1999 and became chief a little under a year ago.

"I have nothing to say but good about Beau," said South Salt Lake Mayor Bob Gray. "We hate to lose a good chief."

Gray said Assistant Chief Chris Snyder will be the acting chief until a full time replacement is found. The mayor said he was going to consult with the City Council before deciding whether to look only in-state for a new chief, including in-house, or open up the search to out-of-state applicants.

"We wish (Babka) well. We hate to lose him. But we understand the career possibilities are immensely better than they are here," he said.

Babka and Winder were scheduled to be guests today on the Doug Wright show on KSL Radio.