The Jackson City Council on Tuesday confirmed Rebecca Coleman as Jackson’s police chief and Raymond McNulty as fire chief.
Coleman, 57, has most recently served as the director of public safety at Jackson State University.
“I am very humble to appear for confirmation for Police Chief,” said Coleman. “I believe leading by example is the first step to establish morale and that’s what I plan to do.”
Although it wasn’t a unanimous vote, Coleman received enough votes to be confirmed as the new head of the department. Ward 1 Councilman Jeff Weill had the opposing vote.
“Because I was not afforded the opportunity to meet with you [Coleman] and ask some other questions, I don’t think I would be doing the job citizens entrusted in me by voting for you,” said Weill. “I wouldn’t hire a secretary after only 8-10 minutes of talking with them.”
But Weill’s opposition and Ward 3 councilman Kenneth Stokes’ absence wasn’t enough to prevent Coleman from being selected as Chief. The council voted 5-1.
A 39 year resident of Jackson, Coleman has 35 years of experience. She is a 1974 Jackson Police Academy graduate. Coleman retired from the Jackson Police Department as deputy chief.
“I have a vested interest in the city of Jackson and the Police Department,” Coleman told the City Council. “I care about the police department and the city of Jackson and how it will be perceived by the casual observer and those who live here.”
Coleman said that one major thing that needs to be change immediately is police visibility.
“As a resident of Jackson, I know that police visibility is important,” said Coleman. “That is something we’re definitely going to have to look into.”
Although Ward 2 Councilman Chokwe Lumumba voted in favor of Coleman’s confirmation, he did voice his opinion about the mayor’s selection.
“If I was in Mayor Johnson’s place — and I’m not and I’m not trying to be — I probably would have picked Tyrone Lewis as chief,” said Lumumba. “He has done a very good job.”
Following the police chief proceedings, the council went on to confirm McNulty as the fire chief.
Another 5-1 vote was cast, with Weill again voting in opposition due to not having the opportunity to meet with McNulty.
McNulty held the Jackson Fire Department chief post under Johnson’s previous administration.
Johnson said that he chose McNulty because of his previous experience and his accomplishments as chief before.
“He worked his way up through the ranks,” said Johnson. “He has a wealth of training and knowledge and that’s why I selected him to be in this position.”
McNulty stated his short-term goals would be to “upgrade training and make arrangements with other outside training agencies to support his desire to move forward.”
Some of McNulty’s long-term goals are to upgrade to the city’s fire houses, manpower and radio system. He also said he wants to reintroduce the department’s promotion process within 45 days.
Be the first to comment