What Does Dothan Have A Police Chief For?

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 11164

Posted by: RStokes
Date: Dec 30 2014 12:23 AM

DOTHAN:     Why does Dothan have a Police Chief?

There is something about Dothan since Harold Locke left, that the Police Chief of Dothan thinks his job is to run the highways going everywhere.

Dothan Police Chief Kater Williams came to Dothan and brought a police department to Dothan Alabama. He started the organization and management. Leadership with a tight fist.

Seldom was Chief Williams away from Dothan. When there was a major scene, Chief Williams was on the scene, day or night.  The criminal investigators wore suits and always had their suit coats on covering their weapons when outisde of police headquarters. The ranking officers, Captains and Lieutenants called in and out of service on the radio.

As things developed, from Chief Williams was Chief Locke. In his short years before his untimely death, Chief Locke was out and about. One New Year's Eve he and Mrs. Sue's time was cut short because of the Bankston murder. Chief Locke was on the scene.

Then came Chief John White. He did a good job until his last 4 to 5 years. White started attending law school and his master was more school than the police department. Until the division of master, White did a good job as Chief and managed the department.

Then came John Powell. While he was in the office more, he was listening to someone. We suspect it was the City Manager. Powell's tenure was a bomb.

Then promoted within, which I still agree to promote within, comes Greg Benton. He has served as Chief for the past 5 plus years.

For the first couple of years Chief Benton did a good job. He solved some much needed management issues and eliminated some sources of discontentiion within the department.

However, for the past several years Chief Benton has been on a steady decline as Police Chief. He is never in the office. He is always gone. Some is vacation and whatever leave. Some gone to conference. But he is never in the office.

Chief Benton was selected as Dothan Police Chief. Not run the roads but be the Police Chief for Dothan. He is to be in the office, in the community, on the streets and on top of what is going on. And he is not.

Recently Benton got a new Ford Explorer as his police chief vehicle. One would expect a police chief vehicle would come equipped with a police radio. Chief Benton DOES NOT have a police radio in his police car. He might maintain he has a portable. But I have watched and his does not.

Chief Benton's patrol vehicle did come equipped with GOLF CLUBS.

It is funny former Houston County Sheriff Andy Hughes and current Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza. They make less than $ 80,000.00 per year. In their Sheriff vehicles are radios with Houston County Sheriff Department, Dothan Police, Alabama State Troopers and other agencies. Their vehicle, if you were under combat, you want them by your side.

Dothan Police Chief Greg Benton, his vehicle has no radios, no combat equipment besides golf clubs.

The time has come, Chief Benton is not being the police chief hired to be. His attention is diverted. Dothan City Manager Mike West has attempted manuevers that has caused  him not be be honest with commissioners over the problems.

The time has come for a change in the guards of the Dothan Police Department. The time for the Chief to pursue what will make him happy. Because it is obvious being Chief of Police of Dothan Alabama and moving it forward is not and has not been on his list of priorities.

The men and women of the Dothan Police Department, the citizens of Dothan and guests therof deserve a focused and dedicated Police Chief.

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