Former Crossville Police Chief Rod Shoap tapped for E-911 Director-County City cost share questioned by City Council.

The Cumberland County Central Communications Committee has voted to offer the position of E-911 Emergency Communications Director to former Crossville Police Chief Rod Shoap.  The CCC has been searching for a new director since the previous one was dismissed. 

Mr. Shoap said he would be meeting with Cumberland County Mayor Kenneth Carey first thing Monday morning to work out details of the position.  The position oversees the 911 dispatch center that is jointly operated by Cumberland County and the City of Crossville.

Rod Shoap

Rod Shoap's background includes a Masters in Public Administration and a graduate of the FBI Academy. He served as interim Crossville police chief until July 2016. Previously Mr. Shoap served as Maury County magistrate, director of planning for the Williamson County sheriff's department and sheriff of Lee County Florida after many years working for that department.

Members of the Cumberland County CCC are Chairman: Cumberland Co. Mayor Kenneth Carey Jr.; Vice Chairman: City Manager: Greg Wood; EMA Director Rick Williams; Crossville Police Chief David Beaty; Crossville Fire Chief Mike Turner; Cumberland County Sheriff Casey Cox; Cumberland Co. Fire Chief Trevor Kerley; EMS Director Chris Miller; Cumberland Co. Board Chairman Everett Bolin.

Shoap may have his work cut out for him based on a discussion at the end of the Crossville city council's work session about the CCC situation. 

E-911 Dispatch Center

Recent changes to the relationship between the E-911 Board and the CCC were discussed during the city council's work session prior to Shoap's selection.  City attorney Will Ridley explained to the council that the CCC's responsibility is to hire the dispatch center director and the E-911 Board only purchases equipment.  Previously the City, County, and E-911 Board shared the costs of the dispatch operation and after the E-911 Board pulled out of the agreement the City and County now share the costs together. 

Ridley said that while the dispatchers were county employees they do not report to the county mayor but to the CCC Director and the CCC Director reports to the CCC Board. Currently, the city has 3 seats on the CCC Board and the county has the majority.  Ridley and County attorney Randy Boston said there was no other Tennessee county with a CCC Board. 

"In most counties, the county mayor hires the CCC Director," explained Ridley.  He added that the city is currently a 50/50 partner in an organization they have a minority membership in. In addition, Ridley said the city had half of the liability for employee situations.