Town Council Narrows Police Chief Search Applicants

As Longwood University continues their quest to find a new President to replace Dr. Patricia Cormier, the Town of Farmville is searching for a new police chief. Acting Police Chief, Wade Stimpson, took over for former Police Chief Stuart Dunnavant, who retired due to health reasons.

Sally Thompson, Town Council Member (Ward B) and representative for the Joint Committee on Students' Rights and Education (JCSRE) said that the search committee, which is comprised solely of the Town Council, has narrowed their decision down to a select number of individuals. "We have interviewed a lot of applicants and they were all very good," said Thompson.

"We feel extremely fortunate we have had such good applicants." The names of the applicants are not being released because of the possibility of job jeopardizing. This is the same approach being taken when it comes to the presidential search at Longwood. Thompson went on to say she feels "confident we will have a police chief by the first of the year."

Jordan Miles, Chairman of JCSRE, stated he was very pleased with the process so far. His only concern was that the Town Council has not invited an administrative member from Longwood to have a say in the process. He said that since many administrative members are residents of Farmville and may have a high interest in the search process.

Miles said it would also be nice to get students more involved in the process since Farmville deputies and Longwood students have had some issues in the past. "Ideally, if we could get a few students to have lunch for half an hour with these candidates, that would be beneficial," said Miles.

Thompson said that the final decision is not up to Longwood University nor is it up to the town residents. "It is not up to the town, it is up to the representatives on the Town Council to make this decision." Thompson was quick to say that the Town Council does welcome public comment from both residents and Longwood students. However, there will be no public forum regarding the issue. "I do believe we have the best interest of the community, and especially the student community, in mind," she said.

"Town Council is reviewing the assessment of the Farmville Police Department very closely in regard to finding a new police chief. We had a report made over the summer and we are paying close attention to that report," said Thompson. The Council hired retired Police Chief G.E. Jarvies of the Chapel Hill, N.C. Police Department to make a qualified assessment of the Farmville Police Department April 1-3.

Jarvies' report showed a department unable to operate as a fully professional entity for the Farmville community due to various problems. Town Council wants to make sure they base their decision off what the report concluded to better the community and the department as a whole. The entire assessment can be found on the Student Government Webpage at http://www.longwoodsga.org/jcsre/docs/FarmvillePoliceReport.pdf.

Miles said he urges students to write a letter to the editor of The Farmville Herald and The Rotunda. "We have a Freedom of Speech and we need to use that," said Miles. Students are also urged to attend council meetings, held on the second Wednesday of each month in the Council Chamber of the second floor of the Farmville Town Hall, located at 116 North Main Street. These hearings are intended to give citizens the opportunity to voice comments and concerns about actions taken by the Town Council. Thompson echoed this rhetoric in regard to the police chief search. "We are trying to do our job. There's a lot of pressure in this. It's a big decision.