The second finalist for Columbus police chief is Russell Jason Irvin of Ooltewah, Tennessee.
Columbus councilmen interviewed the former assistant police chief for special operations and administrative support at the Chattanooga Police Department for about 90 minutes Thursday morning behind closed doors. Afterward he met police officers and citizens in the reception room at City Hall but declined to speak to the media.
Irvin, according to his resume, which city officials released, served as assistant chief from 2017 until he retired earlier this year. He also served for two years as director of training; four years as a lieutenant in internal affairs; a year as patrol supervisor; two years as a sergeant in internal affairs; two years as a property crimes investigator; four years as a major crimes investigator; one year each as a property crimes investigator and school resource officer; and two years as a patrolman.
All of those positions were with the Chattanooga Police Department.
He also holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
“I have extensive experience in training, recruiting and retention,” he wrote in his cover letter. “I have been at the forefront with my department in implementing innovative technologies. … I also know the importance of empathy and transparency in my work.”
Thursday was the city’s second of three planned interviews to fill the vacant police chief’s post. Columbus Police Department has been without a chief since Aug. 15, when Fred Shelton retired. He announced his intention to retire on July 12, hours before a special-call city council meeting to discuss his job performance.
The first finalist, Natchez Police Chief Joseph Daughtry Sr., was interviewed Wednesday. The council plans to meet with the third finalist at 9 a.m. Tuesday, but officials have not released that person’s name.
After Irvin’s interview, Mayor Keith Gaskin told The Dispatch that things went well.
“We had an excellent time with the candidate and the council,” he said. “We’re very excited to have candidates of this caliber who are potentially interested in coming to the city.”
Irvin is looking for a new challenge after retirement, Gaskin said.
“He got his years in at Chattanooga and now wants to go to a smaller department,” Gaskin told The Dispatch.
“I thought it was a great interview,” said Ward 1 Councilwoman Ethel Taylor Stewart. “We have some really strong people applying for that position. I was very impressed with each interview.”
Stewart said she was very impressed with Irvin’s range of experience.
“He worked in just about every division in the police department,” she said. “Investigation, command, he is an instructor at the academy.”
Vice Mayor Joseph Mickens, who represents Ward 2 on the council, said Irvin was “very impressive.”
“He had very extensive training,” Mickens said. “He’s done SWAT, he’s done investigation, he’s done a lot of things and is very versatile. No matter what position you put him in, he can do it.”
“They were both very, very good,” said Ward 3 Councilman Rusty Greene. “The first guy has been a police chief in Mississippi in a town similar to ours. (Irvin) has the full range. He’s been in investigations, he’s been in SWAT, he had all the experience in all the ranges that you need. Both were very highly qualified in their own areas and both would be an asset to Columbus.”
Ward 4 Councilman Pierre Beard was more circumspect.
“The bar is still set extremely high,” he said.
Ward 5 Councilman Stephen Jones was pleased.
“It went real well,” he said. “He was another good, qualified person. It’s just finding the right fit for Columbus.”
Ward 6 Councilwoman Jacqueline DiCicco said Irvin was “outstanding.”
“His love for people and the importance of developing relationships was apparent throughout the interview,” she said. “He has excellent credentials and experience.”
Gaskin said a hiring decision could come within the next couple of weeks.
“I think the council wants to move as quickly as we can,” he said. “The statement has been made that we would like to have a decision made before Thanksgiving. It could be as soon as the next council meeting, which is Nov. 15.”
The pay for the position was previously around $72,000. In August, the council approved a salary range of $80,000 to $90,000 in the hopes of attracting higher caliber candidates.
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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