Statesboro City Council votes to hold off on move to Police Chief

Several agenda items were discussed at Tuesday’s Statesboro City Council meeting, but one of ongoing discussion and consideration was that pertaining to the move from a Public Safety Director over both police and fire, and instead go to a sole police chief over the police department.

Brought before the council was not only Resolution 2015-46 but also complete job descriptions for a police chief, a fire chief, a police major, and a deputy fire chief – with understanding the reorganization is inevitable. The resolution with regard to the reorganization and job descriptions was adopted.

Ultimately, the council agreed that a new police chief should not be hired until a new city manager is hired, meaning it could February before choices are narrowed down for selection.

Additionally, because Statesboro operates on a city manager model, it would be the new city manager who would hire the chief . Because that position is unfilled, council noted it would be in the best interest of the city to have a permanent manager fulfill those duties – not the interim city manager.

Some members of the council addressed concern over the fact that hiring and firing of administrative positions is not clear in the City Charter. Councilman Riggs explained he would like to see that changed. Riggs also voiced opposition of the city manager’s ability to circumvent the input of council in the hiring and firing process, but Councilman Lewis expressed his support of the city manager having oversight of administrative employment as long as the council has some input. What that input will look like is still to be determined, but council will be seeking a city manager willing to partner on hiring decisions.

You can watch the entire council meeting on All On Georgia – Bulloch County’s YouTube channel here.