News | Tyrone

Perkins hired as Tyrone police chief

Mon, 09/10/2007 - 8:15am
By: Ben Nelms

Perkins hired as Tyrone police chief

Tyrone wasted no time in hiring a police chief to fill the position of outgoing Chief David Mullis. The Tyrone Town Council thursday hired the veteran officer Capt. Brandon Perkins as the town’s new chief. His hire came with a 3-2 split from council members.

Perkins began his tenure with Tyrone Police in 1999 after working as an officer in Fairburn and Union City and as a dispatcher in Fairburn. Beginning his new job later this month, Perkins brings with him significant experience in law enforcement training, an A.S. degree in Criminal Justice and is working toward a B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration. Perkins began in Tyrone as a patrol officer and has served in other capacities within the department such as training officer and a certification officer.

Speaking after the meeting, Perkins thanked the mayor and council for providing him the opportunity to serve as chief and he thanked Chief Mullis for his guidance.

“I want to thank the mayor and council for affording me this opportunity. I look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of Tyrone in this new capacity,” Perkins said. “I also want to thank Chief David Mullis for his service to the town and his guidance to me over the years. He is a great man and he left me with big shoes to fill. I wish him luck in his new endeavors.”

Perkins’ hire came on a 3-2, with council members Michael Smola and Paul Letourneau voting for the hire, Grace Caldwell and Gloria Furr opposed and Mayor Sheryl Lee broke the tie.

In relation to the hire, Caldwell said the position should have been advertised, adding that she believed the appointment was in violation of equal employment opportunity regulations and that a resume from a more qualified individual had been received. Caldwell also said that, to the best of her knowledge, she had never received resumes from the other candidates.

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Hey Tyrone Mayor and 2 Councilmembers
Submitted by tyronesleezeball on Tue, 09/11/2007 - 10:32am.

Was Perkins personnel file reviewed before this decision was made? I know for a fact, I registered a complaint about him. He is rude to people and very unprofessional. I know that I couldn't have been the only one that has complained about him. He shouldn’t be a police officer much less a Chief.

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What is Mayor and Council thinking?
Submitted by cecedupree on Mon, 09/10/2007 - 3:14pm.

This is not personal against Mr. Perkins. I know him. He is indeed rough around the edges and I think we all were at that age. He has a lot of growing up to do. I can’t imagine this position is going to be easy for him either. With the only two council members that voted for him leaving office, he is going to have an up hill climb. Sheryl cast the deciding vote and she won’t be there in January. Are you all setting him up to fail like you did David Mullis? What are you people doing? You have successfully torn the businesses in Tyrone apart and now you are systematically doing it to the police department. Since it is apparent that you didn’t want Van Brock in the position you would have done better by going outside the department. Mr. Perkins is a kid, with no real life experience to speak of. Why would you do this to him and this community?

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Mayor and Council
Submitted by tyronesleezeball on Tue, 09/11/2007 - 10:43am.

They aren't thinking. This is obviously a personal attack against Brock. It is a sad shame that this guy saves a man's life a few years back, get's Citizen of the Year and is treated like this. He also served this country. I guess he is good enough to die for this country and serve the community for twenty years, but not good enough for the Chief's job. I have seen him around town for as long as I can remember. I know that I have called on him at home or seen him out around Tyrone and asked him questions and he has always been very professional to me. Even when I didn't want to hear the truth. Sorry about all this Brock. There are alot of people in this Town that know that you deserve better. Perkins, don't really know you man, but you are going to have a hard time of this position. Most the people in Tyrone didn't want you for the job, they wanted Brock.

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Perkins
Submitted by oldbeachbear on Mon, 09/10/2007 - 3:46pm.

I feel for Van Brock. He should have gotten it. Van is always nice and I've never seem him loose his cool, Something I can't say for Perkins. He is too young. I think that Lee, Latrouneaux and Smola know their days are numbered and are just trying to do as much damage as they can before they are out. It looks bad for Barney and Thelma too, cause we've all heard the stories of the compromising position. Instead of people thinking, well maybe that didn't happen, it's looking more like it did because of these strange actions. It's having quite the opposite effect on everyone. This was a stupid move for all the guilty parties. You just look worse and worse.

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Tyrone POLITICS AGAIN
Submitted by Dalmation195 on Mon, 09/10/2007 - 12:50pm.

This whole thing has the stench of Tyrone politics all over again.

Van Brock has served the town of Tyrone for so long. He has the experience and the knowledge to do this job.

I have nothing against the chosen candidate, but the town council should be ashamed of themselves.

I bet Roger is turning over in his grave about now

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Secret Government
Submitted by ladyJustice on Mon, 09/10/2007 - 2:22pm.

No advertising, no public discussion, no resumes, no choices, no due process, citizens in the dark. Secret Government. Amos, Fowler, Lee, Smola & Letourneau got together and decided who they wanted for Chief and put it to a vote in a secret "executive session" as "personnel" on the Agenda. The Councilwomen were not informed and were blindsided with the old 3-2 vote. The only ways to stop this chicanery is by a State investigation or elect a new responsible Council. Right now Grace Caldwell & Gloria Furr should ask the Governor and the Fayette District Attorney for an investigation of Tyrone's government practices. Ronnie Chance could be of great help here if he really wants to represent the people.

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