The man selected three years ago to be next in command to former Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher will succeed his ex-boss as the city’s top cop.
David Roddy, who was chief of staff and deputy chief to Fletcher since July 2014 and acting chief since Fletcher’s retirement last month, is the choice of Mayor Andy Berke to lead the city’s police force.
The mayor said he sought a candidate “worthy of the people who do this” and someone who would inspire his fellow officers. His choice, he said, has proven organizational know-how and understands the job goes beyond catching folks who break the law to the broader areas of safety and community.
Roddy was Fletcher’s pick to succeed him and was the rumored choice of rank-and-file officers and City Hall. Nevertheless, we’re glad he wasn’t elevated to police chief when Fletcher retired but had to apply and be scrutinized like the 48 other candidates. He had to pass muster with a five-member local selection committee and appeal to Berke as well.
Although he wasn’t the choice of the local chapter of the NAACP, the organization pronounced the 23-year police veteran qualified to lead the 500-plus person police department.