BREAKING NEWS: David Beaty may return as Crossville police chief

Former Crossville police chief David Beaty has been recommended as regular Police chief by an interview committee that interviewed Beaty, current Crossville interim Chief Mark Rosser and Rockwood police chief Danny Wright.

According to interim city manager Steve Hill, A meeting with Beaty will be scheduled next week after the holiday to see if Beaty accepts the city's offer.  Hill added that nothing is final until until Beaty accepts the offer.

The Crossville department has gained ground and state accreditation under interim chief Rod Shoap and then upon Shoap's resignation six months ago, interim chief Mark Rosser in the two years since Beaty left.  

Shoap resigned following the city's failure to hire him to the regular position after he felt local politics had a hand in the decision to keep delaying action on his hiring.   Shoap has since filed an unfair employment complaint against the city with the EEOC.   

David Beaty

In late 2014, Beaty took an early retirement buyout offer receiving standard retirement benefits and a 6 month salary in a lump sum as well as bridge health insurance until Medicare eligibility.  Beaty received a lump sum of $34,734 at the time of his retirement in early 2015.  

Beaty served as Crossville police chief for some 19 years prior to taking the early retirement buyout. At the time there was a question about whether another department member being ready to take over as chief, leading to the hiring of Shoap, who had served many years in law enforcement in the Ft. Myers Florida area.

Crossville police department earns state accreditation

After 18 months of hard work the Crossville police department has been recognized as an accredited agency by the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police (TACP) through the Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation (TLEA) program.

The certificate was presented to Crossville Mayor James Mayberry and interim police chief Mark Rosser by Randy Evans, district representative of the TACP and chief of police for Cookeville. Evans described CPD's achievement in reaching “an such an important and much coveted milestone.” Evans added that the award recognizes much work and commitment.

Mayor James Mayberry, interim police chief Mark Rosser 

and Cookeville police chief Randy Evans

The accreditation program is voluntary with no requirement to participate in the program that consists of 161 standards that an agency must meet. Policy and directives are required and complaince with those 161 standards explained Evans. “It takes great commitment, dedication, and hard work by the agency head, agency personnel and city leaders to meet the standards,” said Evans.

According to Evans, most agencies take about 3 years to meet the standards while CPD was able to accomplish the certification program in some 18 months. Benefits of the program in addition to strong policies, non-discrimination and better management as well as reduced insurance costs.

The standards of excellence that have been met through the accreditation process should be looked upon with great respect,” concluded Evans.

The drive to accreditation began with a meeting between former city manager David Rutherford and former interim police chief Rod Shoap a short time after Shoap started at the city. Shoap explained that he had much experience with accreditation at both the state and national levels and the program was important to CPD because policies had not been changed since 1994 at the department.

Shoap offered his congratulations on the department's accomplishment and said the whole department  had worked on the project. Shoap said one of the biggest jobs was the auditing and reorganization of the department's evidence storage.

Interim chief Mark Rosser commented about the accomplishment, "The benefits of Accreditation are numerous and include sound written directives to help guide police officers, better management of information for sound decision making, fair and non-discriminatory personnel practices, as well as reduced insurance costs ($100 per officer through TML-RMP).  The standards of excellence that have been met through the accreditation process is looked upon with great pride by the Crossville Police Department. I am proud to recognize the hard work of this department and its staff."

Crossville PD is the 42nd agency in Tennessee to achieve accreditation in TLEA.

Rosser pointed out part of what the TACP says about the importance of accreditation, "the reason for the Policy is what we say we do. Proofs mandated by accreditation show that we do what we say. Next and just as importantly, the process does not end upon the award of accreditation. Our departments must maintain annual updates, and checks and balances to retain accreditation. This keeps us on the continual progressive trajectory of best practices and professional police service."

The initial accreditation is valid for a term of three years.  

Genesis Road reopened and work on sign moving forward.

Crossville interim police chief Mark Rosser reports that Genesis Road has been reopened and a crew is onsite working on the sign that was damaged in the strong winds yesterday.

The winds caused the tall sign to lean toward Genesis Road and large power lines through the area causing the road in front of the business to be closed off to protect the public.

Large crane steadies the damaged sign as crews work on the damage.

 A crew from the firm that erected the sign originally is reportedly onsite to stabilize or rework the sign.

This was the scene yesterday just off of the Genesis Road exit of I-40 with the sign

leaning toward the road.  Traffic was redirected starting yesterday afternoon. 

Crossville seeking Chief of Police applications.

The City of Crossville has posted a notice on the city's website seeking applications for the position of Police Chief.  The Chief position has been in the news often this year as interim chief Rod Shoap resigned and then Mark Rosser was then appointed as interim chief.  

The city will take applications through December 7.  A copy of the listing is below.

CITY OF CROSSVILLE POSITION OPEN

CHIEF OF POLICE

The City of Crossville (population 11,246) is seeking resumes for the position of Chief of Police. Under the executive direction of the City Manager, the Chief of Police is responsible for planning, directing, implementing and evaluating the activities of the Police Department. Responsibilities include recruitment and selection of personnel, formulation of policies and procedures, and preparation of an annual budget. The ideal candidate must be P.O.S.T. certified and possess a Bachelor’s degree in Police Science, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, or related field. Candidate will have served as Chief, or Assistant Chief, a minimum of seven (7) years. Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the person with the knowledge and abilities required to perform the job may substitute for the above, at the discretion of the City. Consideration will be given for FBI National Academy and/or Southern Police Institutes and FBI Leeds graduate. Salary will be a minimum of $57,057.53 and negotiable DOQ/DOE. Position will also include a comprehensive benefit package. Other requirements include:

• Must possess a valid Tennessee operator’s license or obtain such
• Must reside within Cumberland County, or move into Cumberland County within 90 days of employment
• Meet annual P.O.S.T. in-service requirements
• Must have completed P.O.S.T. Law Enforcement Management and Administration training
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Must be examined by a City designated physician to make a determination if applicant will be able to meet the physical standards of law enforcement personnel

A complete job description is available upon request. Resume and cover letter is to be mailed to: Leah Crockett, Human Resources Administrator, 392 N. Main Street, Crossville, TN 38555 or via email at leah.crockett@crossvilletn.gov. Resumes will be accepted until 4:00PM CST on December 7, 2016.

The City of Crossville is an EEO/Affirmative action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, religion, color, disability or national origin.

Previous stories:

Shoap resignation surprised many.

Rosser sworn in as interim police chief.

Rutherford says his plan to hire Shoap as chief lead to his firing.

Raise approved for interim police chief and timeline for hiring decision recommended. Kerley armed during meeting.

The call for a special meeting that was moved from Monday to Friday was attended by all the council members and several matters were covered including a raise for the interim police chief and a timeline for an expected decision on hiring a regular police chief.

Crossville city council discusses raise for interim police chief Mark Rosser

While reports are that Councilman Jesse Kerley holds a concealed carry permit for a fire arm, there is rarely a time when a council member attends a meeting with their firearm showing as Mr. Kerley did at Friday's meeting. Kerley's pistol was in a belt holster in the small of his back.

Councilman Jesse Kerley (with back to camera) carried 

what appeared to be a pistol during Friday's called meeting

Several people noticed the gun and Crossville mayor James Mayberry said the matter of weapons would be discussed at the next council meeting.

Councilwoman Pamala Harris lead the discussion on a proposed raise for the interim police chief Mark Rosser. Harris said Rosser has been doing a good job and put in a lot of extra hours. According to Harris, Rosser received a small raise when he became the interim chief but she added he was not making as much as the previous interim chief. Harris said she felt Rosser should be compensated a bit more until a decision is made on a permanent chief of police.

Crossville city council discussion on interim chief Mark Rosser

Councilman Kerley asked in Ms. Harris would be willing to make the raise retroactive to when the interim chief took the position. Ms. Harris agreed and Mr. Kerley seconded the motion.

Councilman Pete Souza took the floor saying he wanted to extend his appreciation to chief Rosser for everything he has done since he took the position. Souza continued, “Chief Rosser is going to be called upon to testify about one of the council members.” According to Souza he had received a call suggesting that the raise was being done to gain Rosser's favor, “and I don't believe anybody can buy Chief Rosser's integrity.” Souza said that that testimony may come up in his ethics complaint.

Souza said, “If it was up to me, every officer out there would get a 5 percent pay raise.”

Councilman Kerley commented, “I just wish we could have a meeting where we speak on facts and not conspiracy theories from here on out. That would be real nice mayor because that's what Robert's Rules of Order states that were supposed to do.”

Mayberry said he took Souza comments as a compliment to officer Rosser.

Kerley came back stating, “It was also an accusation and a personal attack.”

Mayberry apologized.

Souza spoke again saying, “This is facts.”

The motion was approved unanimously by the council.

Harris spoke again saying she would like to make a motion to recommend that the city manager make a decision on the hiring of a new chief of police on or before December 31. The motion received a second from councilman Danny Wyatt.

Mr. Souza said that the city manager has authority given to him by the charter. Souza continued, “He doesn't need the city council to tell him when to hire somebody.”

Ms. Harris said her motion was only a recommendation.

The motion was also approved unanimously.