Centerville has new police captain

CENTERVILLE -- After a measure of contention among City Council members on the matter, the city has a new police captain.

Capt. Ronnie Harlowe of the Houston County Sheriff's Office told the council Tuesday he plans to promote Centerville police Sgt. Charles Hadden to captain. The position is the sole captain spot and is the second leading post in the department.

Harlowe has led Centerville police since September after Centerville officials asked the sheriff's office to manage the police department following the former chief's resignation in June and the council's elimination of several department command positions.

The city is currently seeking a new chief.

Councilmen Jon Nichols and Cameron Andrews questioned at a meeting this week whether making key promotions is a good idea prior to the department getting a new chief of its own.

Both councilmen said their hesitation had nothing to do with Harlowe's judgment or Hadden's qualifications but instead involved promoting someone ahead of new leadership coming in.

Andrews said putting someone in the captain post might put a new chief "in a box" concerning their wishes for department staff.

But Councilmen Micheal Evans and Randall Wright maintained that Harlowe had the authority and duty to make such decisions according to the agreement with the sheriff's office. Mayor John Harley agreed.

Following the discussion, Andrews pointed out the matter wasn't actually something the council would vote on anyway. He said it was Harlowe's choice.

Harlowe affirmed Hadden as his choice for captain and said he thinks any future chief would make the same decision.

Council members, including Andrews and Nichols, congratulated Hadden, a nine-year veteran on the Centerville force. They both praised Hadden and said their only concern was with procedure, not the people involved.

In another police matter, Harlowe told the council that police needed seven new bullet-proof vests for officers. He said some current vests date back to 1996 and that the vests generally are effective for only seven years.

Harlowe said he was considering cost and quality options from two companies with one asking $4,500 and the other $4,900 in total. He said with funds on hand and grant money available, the department had $4,200 and would need additional money to make up the shortfall.

Council members encouraged Harlowe to get what the department needed and indicated the funds would be available.

Hadden also told the council a switch from smart glasses to body cameras for officers was being accomplished at minimal costs. After the department's trial of smart glasses proved they weren't suitable for the city, he said, payment for the glasses was refunded and additional costs to switch to body cameras would be about $3,400.

In other business Tuesday:

Resident Clay Peacock asked the council to better enforce its rules of decorum policy during meetings. He said most people attend meetings wishing to observe the proceedings and shouldn't be subject to audience members carrying on disruptive, private conversations or standing and addressing council at times other than those designated for public comment. Harley responded by reading extensively from the policy and said he would try to do a better job enforcing it.

Wright requested that more attention be given to enforcing city codes against yard sale, lost animal, home sale and other signs placed on city rights of way, utility posts, traffic sign posts and other public roadway areas.

This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 7:30 PM with the headline "Centerville has new police captain ."