For fifth time in five years, Centerville has a new top cop

For the second time in recent years, a high-ranking sheriff’s deputy has been placed temporarily at the helm of the Centerville Police Department.

Capt. Ricky Harlowe, commander of the 911 Center, is on loan for up to 90 days while police chief Charles “Chuck” Hadden is on leave. Centerville, which has had trouble retaining a police chief in recent years, also turned to the sheriff’s office in 2015.

“It’s not unheard of, but it’s not that common,” said Terry Norris, executive director of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association.

Small towns struggle more to retain police chiefs, Norris said. The average tenure of a police chief is about three years nationwide. And unlike sheriffs who are elected and don’t answer to other elected officials, police chiefs are appointed.

“The chief of police, as an appointed official, is subject to whatever the mayor and council decide they should be subject to,” Norris said. “So, that might lend some thought about to why their tenure is not as long.”

Hadden is expected to return to work, according to Centerville Councilman Justin Wright.

“We don’t have any reason to believe he won’t return,” Wright said.

Under the agreement, the city is responsible for Harlowe’s pay and benefits while he fills in, said Houston County Sheriff Cullen Talton. Lt. Mikki Quinones, second in command at the 911 Center, will serve at the center’s helm until Harlowe’s return, Talton said.

Frequent changes

In September 2015, another high-ranking deputy within the sheriff’s office was placed at the helm of the city’s police department.

Capt. Ronnie Harlowe, who heads the patrol division at the sheriff’s office, assumed temporary command for about three months while the city searched for a new chief.

The city then hired Ronald Rodgers, a former Macon police officer, in February 2016. But Rodgers resigned suddenly after serving about seven months.

Before the sheriff’s office was asked to step in the first time, Ed Tucker, a civilian and former council member, served in a controversial, newly-created position of director of police services.

The city council also eliminated the position of assistant chief, which left W.G. Cooley out of job. Cooley had been leading the department as assistant chief after the resignation of Sid Andrews in June 2015. Several weeks later, Tucker resigned as director of police services, and council later dissolved that post and went back to a police chief position.

While Ronnie Hawlowe filled in as police chief, he promoted Hadden to captain in November 2015. After Rodgers left, Hadden, who was heading the patrol division, was asked to run the police department while the chief’s post was vacant.

The city later named Hadden as its police chief in February 2017. Hadden, who has has been with the police department for more than 15 years, could not be reached for comment.