Franklin EtheridgeA week after city officials decided to put separate chiefs over the fire and police departments, LaFayette, Ga., City Manager Frank Etheridge has appointed both positions from a pool of internal candidates.
Former Assistant Chief Bengie Clift — who has been acting as interim public safety director — was appointed police chief and Capt. Robert Busby Jr. was appointed fire chief, both with 14-plus years of experience, Etheridge said.
The vote to split the department into two and hire supervisors for both sides was unanimousl during a June 11 City Council meeting. This will allow each department to operate as a separate entity, officials said.
Clift said he is excited to take over the top police spot and agrees with the decision to split the departments.
“It’s hard to wear both hats,” he said. “This allows me to focus on what we need to get back to [serving] the community.”