Town Hall Meeting to Gather Input on New Police Chief Hire

As of Monday, December 24, 2012

A Town Hall meeting will be held on Wednesday January 16, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Southern Pines Police Department located at 450 W. Pennsylvania Avenue in Southern Pines. The purpose of this meeting is to solicit ideas and input from the community regarding the selection of a new police chief.

This meeting will be hosted by Stephen K. Straus, Ph.D. from Developmental Associates, LLC. Residents are invited to share their input about what characteristics, experience, and professional competencies they would like to see in a new Police Chief. In addition, community input will be solicited with a focus on the present and future challenges facing both the community and the police department.

The hiring of a Police Chief is highly important to the Town of Southern Pines and residents are encouraged to participate by attending this meeting and/or providing written comment.

Written comments may be sent via email to: southernpineshiring@developmentalassociates.com

More like this story

njc17 4 months, 3 weeks ago

My only question here is, why pay out all that money in a PHD psych??? to select a police chief? Is there not enough confidence with the city fathers to make educated decisions. I agree this is an important choice but after all these years, and the good people in the department, are you saying they are not good enough? what do you train them for? ------- ohhhh thats a bunch of questions

surrogate 4 months, 3 weeks ago

No, what I think they are saying is the city manager and HR person would rather farm this hire out. The problem I have is this firm might conduct what they call an open search. But I bet they will end up hiring someone from within the department and still get paid quite well. My hope is they actually do get someone from somewhere else; not a good ole boy. How about some new blood for Southern Pines in more than the PD?

TF121 4 months, 3 weeks ago

FYI: Dr. Stephen Straus is President and Founder of Developmental Associates. He earned his Bachelors Degree from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Ph.D. from Duke University in Political Science. He is a former Assistant City Manager in Southern Pines.

Toda 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Hiring or electing professionals in law enforcement as well as most positions require better educated managers and leaders. Court personnel are required to interpret and record judicial orders while maintaining the integrity of due process.

Law enforcement managers should have a higher level of education ... no less than a Masters in Criminal Justice. Officers should earn at least a bachelors degree before at least a 6 month ride-along training compliment.

Law enforcement managers and officers represent the interest of the people to enforce laws, interpret laws enacted through legislative action, develop concise writing and communicative skills. As we see with county positions, the good-ole-boy approach is still perceived as an entitlement for extended family.

Next Sheriff in line, already has begun advancement of family through the ranks. Question is: what are his qualifications as a supervisor? Formal educational background? High school (GED) and basic BLET are minimums. Do we want to settle for minimum standards?

surrogate 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Sheriffs are by and large good boys; no one seems to know why voters settle for non educated non professionals for a sheriff, yet police chiefs need to have a masters degree nowadays for even the smallest fewest red lights cities. We will all be better off with county police chiefs and letting the sheriff run the jails, serve papers, and manage courtroom security IMO

Toda 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Larger counties, like Mecklenburg, have in place a county police force. Sheriff's were initially charged with serving civil papers, enforce court orders for jury selection, and manage the local jail. In an effort to comply with state law, they expanded their sworn duties to include enforcement of General Statues.

Military officers who lead others as commissioned officers have 4 year degrees and most who have climbed the ranks above Captain usually have masters degrees or are in the process of earning graduate degrees. Sheriffs move through the political ranks without opposition in most situations or un -encumbered due to political affiliation.

Rumor has it that Major Ronnie Fields is in line to become the next Sheriff once Lane Carter retires. Major Fields was a former Highway Patrolman and has no education higher than high school. In spite of years of OJT, doesn't provide an educational background sufficient to perform the duties of a Sheriff with at least a graduate degree in Criminal Justice or related field. Change should come to law enforcement to bring basics into the 21st century law enforcement level of educated and skilled professionals.