The search is on for a new leader at the beleaguered Jacksonville Police Department, a department that has been troubled for months now.
After requesting information for nearly a week, the city's Mayor confirmed to THV11's Winnie Wright, that they are, in fact, interviewing three final candidates.
April 19th, I found out that interviews were taking place for a new Police Chief in Jacksonville.
This, of course, was of great interest, because the city's Attorney has been acting-police chief since the former chief was removed by the court last June.
Multiple efforts to reach the City Attorney were not returned.
Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Gary Fletcher's office confirmed the number and the names of the finalists, names he supplied to the Democrat Gazette on Sunday. Fletcher would not agree to go on-camera, and asked me to file a formal FOIA request for their background info.
A council member says they were not consulted about the candidates, and have not had the opportunity to review them.
After reviewing the names and their credentials of candidates, some fear it may be more of the same.
Chris Chapmond:
Chapmond is currently the Assistant Chief of Police at the Hot Springs Police Department.
He's served in that role since 2016.
According to his LinkedIn page, he's a 22-year veteran of that department, where he's serve in each division.
James Jones:
According to what appears to be Jones' LinkedIn page, he has 28 years of law enforcement experience, mostly with the Detroit Police Department in Michigan, where he says he served in many different roles.
After leaving the department, his page says he went to work for MVP Capital Venture, in Ohio, as a security consultant.
James Bacon:
(Ed. note: James Bacon contacted us to say he withdrew from the candidate list last week due to personal reasons.)
According to his LinkedIn, Bacon was Chief of Police at Russellville PD and White Hall PD for 28 years.
Before that, his page says he retired as a Captain with Pine Bluff PD.
Bacon also served as Police Chief in Nixa, Missouri after leaving the Russellville Police Department, where he was chief during the highly-publicized 2005 murder investigation of former beauty queen, Nona Dirksmeyer.
He currently works for Allied Security Services.
Many residents have questioned why one of the Jacksonville's higher ranking officers is not a finalist.
Mayor Fletcher's office tells me he will only comment once a decision has been made.
No word yet on when that may happen.