Longtime Schuylkill County detective Martin J. Heckman has been named chief.

Heckman, of Pottsville, had been a detective since 2007. In January, he was promoted to Chief County Detective after his predecessor, Dennis Clark, retired.

“Marty’s appointment was very easy to make,” said District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake.

“Marty is a very hard worker, a dedicated worker. It’s nice to reward people who do good work, and Marty certainly fulfills all the requirements to deserve that promotion.”

Heckman has worked as a county detective since 2007.

Clark was chief detective for six years.

“It was something I aspired to,” Heckman said of the promotion.

What does he see as the county’s most pressing problem?

“By far, drugs, without a doubt. Not only is drug use illegal, but the effect it has on families and society in general is detractive by its nature,” he said.

“Drugs are more prevalent and less expensive. It’s easier for the less fortunate people to get access to them,” Heckman said. “They are stronger and cheaper - more potent. It’s a deadly combination.”

O’Pake said that now drugs are also more likely to contain the deadly fentanyl.

“Fentanyl’s in everything now. If someone’s buying meth, they don’t know if there’s fentanyl in it. That’s a problem,” he said. “We see now that even marijuana is laced with it. It’s a scary proposition out there when you’re buying drugs.”

Heckman’s years of experience are helping as he tackles the situation.

He’s also building on Clark’s foundation.

His predecessor, he said, was a ”wealth of information, a wealth of experience. He was a great mentor.”

“With Dennis, things were working well, and I think, well, can I improve that in any way? We talk with other staff members to get ideas. Sometimes the person at the lower end of the totem pole has a better idea,” Heckman said.

Two areas of his focus will be efficiency and communication, he said.

Communication is important, he said. “We need to contact who we need to contact to have them come in, being more efficient is always a goal.”

Heckman is impressed with “how hard the people work, day in and day out. They’re good people. It’s nice working in a good environment. We all get along, and we have a good boss.”