By Ray King
After the Pine Bluff City Council meeting Monday night, Mayor Shirley Washington notified members of the City Council and the media that she had selected retired Arkansas State Police Capt. Lloyd Franklin Sr. as Interim Police Chief.
Franklin takes over from Kelvin Hadley, who has been acting Chief since Chief Kelvin Sergeant announced his retirement, which was effective at the end of June.
Tuesday morning, Council members Joni Alexander and Ivan Whitfield, himself a former Chief of Police, were contacted by Deltaplex News and asked about the mayor’s action.
Alexander went on to explain what she meant by package deal.
Whitfield also offered thoughts on the selection.
Whitfield said Washington had the authority to select Franklin but there “was a respectful way to do it. At least she got someone we do know and would entrust in our community to do the right thing.”
He also talked about Hadley, whom he worked with while still a member of the department.
