Current Natchez Police Chief Joseph Daughtry Sr. has been named the new Columbus police chief.
The decision was announced during Tuesday’s Columbus City Council meeting.
He will take the reins at the Columbus Police Department on Jan. 1 and will be paid a salary of $100,000.
“It’s an honor to be selected to be your next chief,” Daughtry said. “I’m committed to making sure that we have what we need to make sure the city of Columbus is safe.”
Daughtry has served as chief in Natchez for two years. He previously served as chief in Pelahatchie for two years; as a Rankin County sheriff’s deputy for four years; as captain of the community service division at the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office for three years; as a patrol sergeant for the Jackson Police Department for 10 years; and as a deputy sheriff for the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office in New Orleans for four years.
In June he was elected leader of the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police.
“He brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge and a real desire to serve our community and to work closely with our officers,” Mayor Keith Gaskin said. “The chief had a lot of competition before he was selected, and we welcome him to Columbus.”
Daughtry was one of three candidates interviewed in-person for the job over the past several weeks.The council also interviewed retired Chattanooga Police Department Assistant Chief Russell Jason Irvin and Douglas County, Nebraska, Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Wayne D. Hudson.
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. His last day was Aug. 15. Assistant Chief Doran Johnson has served as interim chief since then.
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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