Council to 'move forward' with Mack in police chief hunt
Apr. 22—The Decatur City Council agreed Monday to "move forward with the process" with the only candidate they've interviewed for police chief.
The council instructed Human Resources Director Richelle Sandlin to begin a background check on Birmingham Police Department Capt. Torry Mack.
Council President Jacob Ladner said a good result could lead to the city offering the police chief job to Mack.
"They will then go forward with offering a contract as part of the process," Ladner said.
Sandlin also reported she received two more applications for planning director. She said she hopes that she can schedule interviews in the coming weeks.
The application period for Parks and Recreation recently closed. The Youth Services director's application period closes April 30.
Ladner said he hopes Sandlin will have background check results on Mack finished by the council's April 28 work session.
The city received 18 applicants seeking to replace former chief Todd Pinion, who stepped down in March. The council chose to interview three of six candidates recommended by Sandlin, and two of them withdrew from consideration.
Mack was the only candidate to interview Wednesday at Turner-Surles Recreation Center. The City Council interviewed the 30-year veteran of Birmingham PD for almost two hours.
He is division manager of Special Operations, which includes tactical operations like SWAT, K-9, explosives, Crime Suppression Unit and snipers. He also has served on special enforcement, a crime-reduction team, an intelligence unit and a recon unit.
He also previously was director of Birmingham PD's training program, did a short stint in Internal Affairs and worked in SWAT. However, he has never been a police chief.
Mack had a 21-year military career in the U.S. Army and obtained the rank of master sergeant.
"I thought Mack did a really good job on his interview," Ladner said. "His resume speaks for itself."
Ladner estimated that close to 20 people who worked for Mack or supervised him reached out to him with "a lot of really good feedback." Among those supporters are members of the Standing In Power group.
Councilman Billy Jackson said he's good with moving forward with the hiring process.
"If it works out that he gets the nod through the process, I don't have any reservations about Mr. Mack at all," Jackson said. "We can always try to turn over everything that we possibly can, but I have no doubts about things we've experienced and seen from him."
Councilman Kyle Pike said he appreciates Mack's continued interest in the Decatur Police Department's chief opening when other people were dropping out.
"I thought last week he showed a great deal of leadership," Pike said. "He showed his ability to support his department and allow them to do what they're supposed to do. Without a doubt he has the law enforcement background, but he showed Wednesday his leadership ability and his willingness to work with others."
Councilman Carlton McMasters said he's OK with moving forward with a background check on Mack, but he still wants to interview a second candidate. He pointed out the city is still accepting applications for police chief.
Sandlin said she received two more last week, but they did not meet the qualifications for the police chief opening.
"Capt. Mack had a really good interview, but in an ideal situation we would interview more than one person," McMasters said. "We may not have the luxury of an ideal situation, if we don't get any more (qualified) applicants."
Councilman Hunter Pepper was absent from Monday's meeting.
— bayne.hughes@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2432
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