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STONEVILLE — When Town Administrator Kevin Baughn said last week that he wanted to hire a new police chief as quickly as possible, he meant it.

Less than a week after former Chief Mike James left the job, the Town Council hired Lt. Franklin Moore to replace him. He began immediately after the council voted 3-2 to hire him, Baughn said.

Moore did not immediately return a call Thursday seeking comment.

James left the department last week after more than two years as chief to lead the county’s new bureau of forensic services.

Moore was one of two candidates the council considered as a replacement. Maj. Roger Hair also sought the position. Baughn said the town received more applications but wanted to hire from within.

Moore is a Stoneville native who has worked for the department full-time for two years, Baughn said. He previously worked as a part-time officer for several years, he said.

The council interviewed both candidates during a meeting Tuesday and voted.

Baughn said it was a hard decision, but he believes it came down to Moore having been employed longer on a full-time basis with the department. Hair, a longtime reserve officer, has had full-time status for just two months, Baughn said.

“Both of them are excellent police officers and both well-qualified,” he said.

Moore also works as a supervisor in the county 911 communications center, Baughn said. He will continue in that job and work a 12-hour schedule as chief on days when he’s not on duty at his other job, Baughn said.

He said Moore has held his job with the 911 center and worked as an officer for more than 10 years. Hair will be in the office on days when Moore isn’t, Baughn said.

One of Moore’s first duties likely will be to hire more officers. Only two of the department’s four full-time positions are filled.
 

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 627-4881, Ext. 126, or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com