Local Leaders Discuss New Police Chief Candidates

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – For the second time in 3 years….Chattanooga is getting a new police chief.  Chief Fred Fletcher has left and is moving toward retirement.

Mayor Andy Berke will soon make the final selection between two veterans of the department, and a police captain from Los Angeles.

News 12’s Bill Mitchell talks with local leaders about what challenges the new chief will face.

Captain Todd Chamberlain of the Los Angeles Police Department brings 33 years to the job, but some think a local chief might be best this time.

Former Mayor Ron Littlefield states “All things equal I tend to choose a local candidate. Now there’s something to be said for picking someone from outside – they bring in some new ideas, some fresh energy and such – but after you’ve gone through that a few times, sometimes its good to get back to the locals.”

Ron Littlefield says he has known the last dozen or so chiefs and has participated in selecting at least half of those. He knows Assistant chief Edwin McPherson and Deputy Chief David Roddy well.

“They know that both are not going to get chosen, somebody’s going to have to get chosen and they have to move forward from there. So I think either local candidate could get over it,” said Littlefield.

“I’m of the opinion that either of the two local individuals have the attributes, have the qualities that we’re looking for in a police chief,” said Yusuf Hakeem

Former city council member Yusuf Hakeem says the relationship ship between police and the community has improved over the years..mainly because of police outreach.

Hakeem noted, “I question going out of town and, you know, I don’t know the man – uh, Chamberlain, – uh, but I don’t see anything he could bring to the table that we can’t get from our local people.”

Littlefield feels Captain Chamberlain might be nearing the end of his career.

Both Hakeem and Littlefield agree the gang problem will be a big challenge for the new chief, but Littlefield feels the need to get the police firing range off federal property at Moccasin Bend is important.