JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
South Pittsburg has a new officer in town as Whitwell resident Nick Sisco was approved as the South Pittsburg Police Department’s community service officer.
During the city’s March public meeting, Police Chief Wayne Jordan came forward to the Board of Mayor & Commissioners (BoMC) to present Sisco as a potential candidate for hire for the police department. This motion stemmed from Officer Donald Pickett stepping down from the police department and being hired into Jasper’s police department back in early March. Jordan explained following Pickett’s resignation, interviews were conducted to fill in the empty space left behind by Pickett, and Sisco was selected as a potential new hire for the town’s police force.
“He did a really great interview with us,” Jordan said. “I’m recommending that we hire him for the slot that I have, labeling the police department, which is a community service officer.”
According to Jordan, as a community service officer, Sisco during this time would not be a full time, sworn in officer for the department. Due to this, Sisco would not be granted the ability to conduct arrests or enforce state and federal laws. However, he noted that he is able to carry a firearm and enforce local ordinances, with full officer power to be granted to Sisco once all the necessary courses and training are met through the state’s police academy.
Prior to an official motion being made by the BoMC, Commissioner Mike Allen shared the idea of the city looking into finding a way to attract and retain its officers, as several in the past have previously resigned from their positions in search of higher pay and benefits within other police departments.
“We spend the money to train them, get them qualified, and we’re letting other cities hire them fully qualified,” Allen said. “We’ve got to look into this, for this is not right for us.”
City Administrator Michael Hudson had mentioned that the matter was previously discussed between himself and Chief Jordan. Hudson added the department’s pay will be further inspected once the time for budgeting arrives.
Ultimately, the BoMC agreed to Jordan’s recommendation of Sisco becoming the department’s newest officer, the board unanimously passing the vote to approve his hiring during the city’s March meeting.