Abbeville City Council Appoints Sgt Kevin Wright As Interim Police Chief

Viewed: 4245

Posted by: Jon B. Carroll
Date: Mar 30 2015 9:20 PM

In Abbeville tonight, as several women looked on who have been victims of domestic violence that police chief Marlos Walker refused to investigate, the city council made a surprise move and appointed Sgt Kevin Wright as interim police chief. Sources shared with us that the council chose between Mike Jones, Ronnie Dollar and Kevin Wright. Dollar who was widely rumored to have been who was being planned to be appointed was decided against after a closed door executive  . Council member and former police chief Betty Edge was the lone dissenting vote against Wright.

Ronnie Dollar offered to be the Interiem Police Chief in additon to his duties as Henry County EMA Director.

However APOST said Dollar could not do both duties, even though Dollar's offer was serve as Interiem Chief for free.

Wright’s appointment comes as a surprise move, as he was hired as an unqualified officer and put in a job of pay and position above those who were APOST qualified and had more experience in the department. Wright as well, we have learned ,has been applying for jobs with the state and has expressed no desire to remain in Abbeville nor does he desire to apply for the chief’s job.

I have nothing against Wright and congratulated him and wished him well. At this point, after how Chief Walker left the department, and numerous allegations of misconduct have been revealed, we need a strong leader who will protect the community and allow any new applicant the opportunity to clearly understand what the department needs.

Wright has only been a qualified law enforcement officer for a little over a year. The city council though disturbingly, led by Brendt Murphy and Terry Allums chose Wright over former Chief Mike Jones who had over 30 years experience. One councilman who was unaware of this and voted for Wright said privately, "I think we have lost our mind".

On the positive end of things, as I left tonight I spoke with a few members of our department , inv. Mock and Davy among them, and I was reminded of just how hard these guys work and the great attitude they have maintained. I think they all deserve our thanks for being positive under difficult circumstances and poor leadership the past year. 

Also of note tonight, when Marlos Walker saw several local citizens who have had police reports lost and investigations blocked, he was unwilling to face them. Walker turned tail and left town, hopefully not on a vehicle Abbeville is still paying for. 

I can only hope Ozark knows what its getting into.

<- back