The Bruce board of aldermen voted 4-0 Tuesday night to hire Tony Sockwell as its new police chief and Bryan Roberts as the new asst. chief.
Sockwell and Corey Alexander both applied for the chief position and made presentations to the board prior to them entering executive session to make a decision behind closed doors.
Alderman Steve Nelson, who is Alexander’s wife Hillary’s grandfather, had to recuse himself from the executive session.
“I take this job very serious,” Sockwell told the board. “I think I would be an excellent chief. I want to make sure Bruce stays a safe community.”
Tony Sockwell
Sockwell said he’s been in law enforcement since 2000 and served as constable in Lafayette County for 12 years. He’s been with Bruce Police for nine years.
Alexander said he was pursuing the opportunity because he believed it was what he was trained to do by the late Chief Stan Evans.
“I appreciate the opportunity. Chief put this on me a little over a year ago,” Alexander said. “I love the City of Bruce. Whatever decision is made tonight, I’ll totally support it.”
Alexander, 32, has been with Bruce Police for six years, most recently as K9 officer and lead narcotics officer.
“I know I’m young, but I feel like my age brings longevity,” Alexander said. “My intention would be to stay here until retirement.”
The mayor and four aldermen met in closed session for just over 30 minutes before opening up the meeting and announcing their decision. The chief position did pay approximately $50,000 and the board lowered it to $45,000 per year and established a new assistant chief position for $40,000 a year.
Board members said experience was the deciding point between Sockwell and Alexander.
Alderman Johnny Armstrong said Alexander wasn’t considered for the assistant chief position because he applied only for chief.
“We went by experience,” Armstrong said, noting Sockwell had the most years in law enforcement and Roberts the second most.
“It wasn’t really discussed,” Alderman Jimmy Hubbard said of considering Alexander for the assistant post. “We thought Bryan would work better with Tony.”
Alderwoman Ellen Shaw said Roberts had long expressed interest in the assistant position and his experience was the difference.
“Thank you for this opportunity,” Sockwell said after the announcement.
In other news from the meeting:
•The board celebrated the announcement that the town had received a $150,000 grant from Weyerhaeuser for the new fire truck. The truck cost over $400,000 and the town had more than $125,000 saved to apply toward it.
•Board approved the low bid for a trailer mounted sewer jetter pending all specs are met. The low bid was from Vacuum Truck Sales and Service at $59,157. Other bids were $59,750 and $63,380.
•Board approved $600 NRA lifetime membership for policeman Bryan Roberts. It’s a requirement for him to continue as firearms instructor for the department.
•Board agreed to apply for a grant for sewer work on Kelly Street, apartments on West Calhoun and other areas in town. Likely a five to six month process for potential grant.
•Board agreed to spend nearly $8,000 to replace a water line on Denton Street.
“We have trouble there all the time,” Water Director David Newman said. “We want to go ahead and put in a fire hydrant on the new line there too.”