Athens-Clarke County Manager Blaine Williams is requesting community involvement regarding the hiring of the city’s next police chief. Williams says he wants to know what characteristics, qualities and priorities residents consider important.
“The nature of policing has changed, it’s a very important hire for the community,” according to Williams. “it is the manager’s decision but I think that there’s different aspect of the community I’d like to hear from about things that are important to them and we’ll use that. We’ll compile those citizens’ comments together and be mindful of that through the interview process.”
Williams says allowing citizens to voice their concerns and have a voice in the process can have an impact.
“At the end of the day, this police department is the community’s police department. This hire is going to be very important for us and we want this police department to continue its tradition of community policing and even improve upon it.”
Members of the community can provide feedback through an online form at www.accgov.com/policechief, printed forms in the Manager’s Office at City hall, and the Police Department headquarters on Lexington Highway, and by voicemail by calling 706-224-3202 and leaving a comment. Information must be submitted by Friday, December 21st.
