Council approves Raymond for Chief of Police

During the city council meeting Tuesday afternoon, the council heard several citizens voice their opinions, concerning Mayor Perkins recommendation of Interm Police Chief Ben Raymond to take over the position permanently. 

A little after 5 p.m., the council voted unanimously to add the mayor's appointment of Ben Raymond as a candidate for police chief. Perkins announced Raymond as his nominee for police chief in a Monday afternoon news conference.

Councilman Willie Bradford spoke before the vote and stated that Council Chairman Bowman acted in what Bowman felt was the best interest of the city when adding Raymond's name to the list. He went on to say that Perkin's recommendation was not done illegal or out of order. 

Councilman Green asked Raymond to speak before the vote, on how he felt concerning the comments he had heard. He spoke that he would appoint, Marcus Mitchell as Provisional Chief Administrator Officer, to help in uniting the department and round out the staff. He wants to appoint someone different than him to the command, that would bring something different to the department. Green went on to tell Raymond that today would be a new start. 

At 5:32 p.m, the council voted to appoint Raymond as police chief.