By Ray King

Pine Bluff Police Chief Kelvin Sergeant said Thursday that he will be retiring July 1.

Appearing on the Oldies 101.3 morning show, Sergeant said former Deputy Chief Kelvin Hadley was promoted to interim assistant chief on Tuesday and explained a conversation he and Mayor Shirley Washington had about that.

He said that the slot that Hadley was filling will be left vacant for now in the event that a new chief wants to go in a different direction as far as an assistant chief. If that is the case, Hadley will return to his former job as deputy chief.

The other Deputy Chiefs are Denise Richardson, Billy Elliott and Shirley Warrior.

On another subject, Sergeant was asked if officers will be out in force during the holiday shopping season, particularly since many retailers have cut back on Black Friday events and the like.

Sergeant said the department is currently working with a company that is allowing it to use some surveillance cameras for a six-month trial with no obligation to buy. Some of those cameras will be placed at intersections and in hot spots but Sergeant declined to identify the locations.