NAACP to discuss police chief search with mayor

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke talks about Chattanooga Police Department Chief Fred Fletcher at the Police Services Center after Fletcher announced on April 7 that he will retire this summer.
Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke talks about Chattanooga Police Department Chief Fred Fletcher at the Police Services Center after Fletcher announced on April 7 that he will retire this summer.

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› Former District Attorney Bill Cox› Pastor Ternae Jordan of Mount Canaan Baptist Church› Former U.S. Attorney Bill Killian› Olga de Klein, former chairwoman of the Highland Park Neighborhood Association’s safety committee› TechTown CEO Chris Ramsey› General Sessions Court Judge Christie Sell

Just more than a week after asking to be included in the search for the city's next police chief, Chattanooga NAACP President Dr. Elenora Woods will sit down with Mayor Andy Berke to discuss the process further.

On Tuesday, city spokeswoman Marissa Bell confirmed the Friday afternoon meeting between Berke and several members of the local NAACP, but she did not say whether Berke intends to include Woods or another NAACP member on the six-person search committee.

On May 15, Berke announced the committee's formation to replace Police Chief Fred Fletcher, who is set to retire when his contract ends July 6. The committee was selected by Berke, who said it's intended to represent a cross-section of the city. Members include: former District Attorney Bill Cox; pastor Ternae Jordan of Mount Canaan Baptist Church; former U.S. Attorney Bill Killian; Olga de Klein, former chairwoman of the Highland Park Neighborhood Association's safety committee; TechTown CEO Chris Ramsey; and General Sessions Court Judge Christie Sell.

"Members of the selection committee were chosen for their diverse backgrounds, as well as experience in specific areas of expertise, whether that's in public safety, the judicial system, or within the community," Bell said.

However, the day after Berke's announcement, Woods spoke before the Chattanooga City Council and said more should be done in the search process to fully represent the interests of all Chattanoogans, specifically those in black communities.

"We just wanted to make sure our voice was heard and we had a part in that process," Woods said. "As it stands now, we do not, which is a shame."

The committee will review and vet applicants and recommend no more than three finalists to Berke, whose ultimate choice will need to be ratified by the city council. Woods has suggested Berke expand the committee to include an NAACP member.

She said it is important to ensure the search process is properly carried out with the input of all relevant voices because violent crime and other issues facing the next chief have a disproportionate effect on blacks.

"It would behoove us to make sure the black community's voice is heard loud and clear through this selection process. We don't feel that right now there is going to be a fair process," she said.

"We're asking that the mayor open up that panel to one more."

Woods has asserted that in addition to more fully representing the varied interests in Chattanooga, bumping the number of people on the committee to seven could also help the decision-making process by providing a tie-breaker vote.

Aside from agreeing to the meeting scheduled for Friday, Berke's office has expressed interest in hearing from citizens with opinions about what the city needs in a new police chief. The Citizen Safety Coalition has developed an online survey for citizens to provide input on the process.

"We are asking the community to help inform the selection criteria and even the questions that will be asked of applicants," Bell wrote.

"Mayor Berke welcomes any discussion with citizens or organizations on how to best include the community's input on important decisions like this, and he looks forward to meeting with the NAACP later this week."

Applications for the police chief position will be accepted until June 9, and the citizen survey is scheduled to close that day, as well. The salary range for the position is $92,289-$145,252.

Berke has said he and the committee members are confident all applicant screenings will be completed before Fletcher's contract ends, but if needed, he will appoint an interim chief.

The survey can be found online at connect. chattanooga.gov/ chapolicechief/ and the job application can be found on governmentjobs.com.

Contact staff writer Emmett Gienapp at egienapp@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731. Follow him on Twitter @emmettgienapp.

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