Newbern Residents Still Without A Police Chief
NEWBERN, Tenn- Although Newbern is a small town with a population of a little more than 3,000, residents say there is still a need for a fully-staffed police department. The former police chief resigned in April. Since then, the department’s former captain is acting as interim chief, leaving the usually 12-man department short an officer, something that residents said should have been resolved by now. “If they’re short, they need to hire one,” Jerry Pusser, a Newbern resident said. But according to city officials based on the Charter, it’s the mayor’s decision. Although he was unavailable for a comment, a city employee said the mayor wants to be cautious selecting the next Police Chief. “The question was asked are we getting closer to appointing one and the Mayor said he’s exploring his options,” said Jason Roberts, the City Recorder. In August, the interim police chief applied for the position permanently but was denied by the mayor, who found another applicant; but the mayor’s choice failed to get approval from the Board of Alderman. “They only want certain people in there so they may as well just go ahead and put them in,” Pusser said. Officials said they’re not playing politics with safety, and say crime has not increased while the department has been down an officer. They said the decision to elect a new police chief will come when the time is right.
