10/30/09 - Madison County
City Hall in downtown Jackson was full as people waited to hear who would be announced as Jackson's new police chief. Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist appointed current Brownsville Police Chief Gill Kendrick as the new head of the police department for Jackson.
Chief Kendrick began his career
in law enforcement 31 years ago in Brownsville. He assumed
the position of chief of police there in 1996. He explained
why he feels qualified to serve Jackson, saying, "Law
enforcement, that's not a job for us, that's a way of life.
What I brought to the table was passion."
17 candidates were considered
for the position. Chief Kendrick said he believes it is an
honor to be appointed and he plans on doing all he can to
help lead Jackson in the right direction. He said, "[I am]
not coming in, saying this is the way it needs to be, but
come in and say let's look at where we are and what we can
do to make it better."
He is the current president of
the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police (TACP) and he
was awarded West Tennessee Chief of the Year in 2000. Chief
Kendrick said he and his wife are "excited beyond words" to
be coming to Jackson.
The announcement today means there is a vacancy at the Brownsville Police Department. Mayor Webb Banks said he will have an interim chief in place before Kendrick's last day.
The announcement today means there is a vacancy at the Brownsville Police Department. Mayor Webb Banks said he will have an interim chief in place before Kendrick's last day.
Chief Gill Kendrick will
officially begin as chief of police for Jackson on November
16. Interim chief Larry Price will act as an advisor for
the first four to six weeks.