Edwin McPherson, assistant chief of the Chattanooga Police Department's criminal investigation bureauThe Chattanooga NAACP would like to have a seat on Mayor Andy Berke's committee for selecting the city's next police chief.
Police Chief Fred Fletcher, who has served at the post since June 2014, announced last month he will retire in July when his contract expires. Berke announced the creation of a six-member selection panel Monday.
On Tuesday, Dr. Elenora Woods, president of the Chattanooga NAACP, told the Chattanooga City Council the organization should play a role in the process.
"The NAACP views this position as one that will have a great or grave impact on the lives of the citizens of this great city," Woods said in appeal to the council. "Recruitment efforts and retention of black officers is of great concern because of the disproportionate number of African-Americans affected by violent crime."
The selection committee will recommend no more than three finalists to the mayor after they review and vet the applicants. The city council will vote on his choice.
Committee 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 chairman of the Highland Park Neighborhood Association's safety committee; TechTown CEO Chris Ramsey; and General Sessions Court Judge Christie Sell.
Besides giving a voice to the "largest and oldest civil rights organization" in the process, a seventh seat on the committee would also give the panel the advantage of having an odd number when it comes to decision-making, Woods said.
Council Vice Chairman Ken Smith said the organization's knowledge would be instrumental in helping the council make the right decision.
"I wouldn't hope, I would expect, that you have a seat at the table in discussing this issue," Smith said.
During the meeting, members of the public and a couple of council members also voiced a preference for Chattanooga police veteran Edwin McPherson, who serves as the assistant chief of the department's criminal investigation bureau.
"McPherson has served this community for over 25 years," Councilman Russell Gilbert said. "The community itself trusts McPherson."
Gilbert described McPherson as a "jewel in our community" who believes in helping people reform, but had no problem doing his job.
Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod thanked Woods and talked about how she had heard whispers within the African-American community about whether a black police chief could be appointed.
"I really got tired of hearing the whispers about it and was beginning to wonder when we would come voice our concerns and share our interests about who we feel should be appointed," Coonrod said.
She said it was no secret that a lot of people were "making it loud and clear" they wanted David Roddy, the police department's chief of staff, to be the next chief.
The African-American community needs to make its voice heard in a similar way, Coonrod said.
Contact staff writer Paul Leach at 423-757-6481 or pleach@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @pleach_tfp.