NeSmith selected police chief

Johnny Wilson submitted his resignation from his position as chief of police in Flomaton Monday morning and during an emergency meeting Monday afternoon, the Flomaton Town Council voted unanimously to name Assistant Chief Dane NeSmith as the new police chief.

Wilson joined the Flomaton Police Department in March, 2021, and was named chief in October, 2022, following the resignation of Chief Chance Thompson.

Wilson submitted his letter of resignation to Mayor Dewey Bondurant, Jr., Monday morning. The town council had already scheduled a special meeting for 4 p.m. Monday to approve or disapprove a piece of equipment for the sewer lagoon. The council then scheduled an emergency meeting for 4:15 p.m. with the only item on the agenda being 'police chief'.

During the emergency meeting, Mayor Bondurant informed the council that Chief Wilson had submitted his letter of resignation Monday morning saying his last day would be Friday, April 7. Mayor Bondurant told the council he would like to appoint NeSmith as the interim police chief.

A motion was made and issued and seconded to name NeSmith as interim chief, which allowed for discussion.

Councilwoman Lillian Dean questioned whether or not it was mandatory the council appoint an interim chief, "Or could we appoint a chief?"

Mayor Bondurant said before Wilson was named police chief four people were interviewed and added he felt Wilson did a good job.

Bondurant added if the council wanted to appoint NeSmith as the permanent chief, he had no problem with that.

Dean also asked whether or not NeSmith would take the position if it was offered.

NeSmith told the council that he had applied for the chief's position when Wilson was named chief and told the council if he was offered the job he would accept.

He added that he had talked with the other police officers and felt they would be happy to work with him.

"I want to get everybody happy and get back to doing what needs to be done," NeSmith said.

Dean then asked NeSmith what he felt the council's role was involving the police department.

"There's no specific role," NeSmith said. "I now each of you represents a portion of the town. You'll have issues and complaints."

NeSmith added that he would answer his telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week and said he would give each council member his cell phone number.

Dean also asked NeSmith whether or not he would ask the council for overtime pay.

NeSmith said 'No' saying it would be a salary position and would not ever ask for overtime.

Councilman Jim Johnson told NeSmith that it was important to get around and meet all the business people in town.

He said that was a priority, but noted the department is short-staffed at this point and reports need to be sent daily to the state and the FBI.

"Will you be in the office all day?" Dean asked.

"I shouldn't be in the office if I'm doing nothing," NeSmith said, noting there will be times to be in the office doing paperwork and was working.

"I had a problem with the chief and assistant chief in the office every day," Dean said.

"I can tell you we weren't wasting our time," NeSmith answered.

NeSmith said he has held about every rank in law enforcement and currently writes grants for the police department. He added he can manage budgets and noted the police department has two cadets heading to the police academy.

"You are inheriting a problem with dispatchers," said Councilwoman Kay Wagner.

"Dispatch can be fixed," NeSmith said. "Some are good and others need more training. We have good dispatchers; they need to be trained."

He said he's already working with Fire Chief Steve Stanton on getting the dispatchers properly trained.

Town Clerk Carrie Moore told the council the police department is short staffed and there would be a learning curve.

"We have a great department," NeSmith said. "Everybody working here loves working here."

Councilman Johnson said the current administration has always supported the police department, noting it has added two officers and purchased two vehicles.

Councilman Roger Adkinson told NeSmith his suggestion was to keep the police department on an even keel and have a good rapport with the people in town and a good rapport with the council.

"I live in the community," NeSmith told the council. "My son goes to school here. The police department is important to me and the community needs to feel safe and feel we are doing our job and being professional. We are 24/7 on the job."

NeSmith also told the council he has had multiple opportunities to leave the Flomaton Police Department but said he wanted to stay in Flomaton.

The council rescinded its original motion to name NeSmith as interim police chief and Dean made the motion to name him as the chief of police. Johnson issued the second and the motion carried unanimously.

The council will vote Monday, April 10, to present NeSmith with a salary package.

NeSmith, 42, grew up in Cantonment and attended Tate High School before graduating in Houston, Texas.

He spent 10 years in construction and started his own company dealing with government contracts.

He began his law enforcement career in 2012 as a police officer in Bayou La Batre.. He spent one year with the Elberta Police Department before joining the Flomaton Police Department in 2019.

"This is home," NeSmith said of Flomaton. "This is where I want to be."