During today’s (Tuesday, Oct. 14’s) Atmore City Council meeting, city governors voted to revive the title of Public Safety Director and to name Chuck Brooks, who entered the meeting as chief of police, to fill the post.
The five-member panel then named Kenny Sessions, who entered the meeting with the rank of major, to succeed Brooks as the city’s top cop.
Both resolutions were passed unanimously and without discussion by council members as a crowd of about two dozen, including Fountain Correctional Facility Warden Kenneth Peters, looked on.
Atmore Municipal Court Judge Karean Reynolds administered the oath of office to Brooks and Sessions, and each man assumed his new position immediately upon being sworn in.
The city has not had a Public Safety Director (PSD) since Glen Carlee retired in January of 2016. Brooks, who had been the city’s police chief for the past 10 years, said he has mixed feelings about the upward move.
“It’s bitter-sweet,” he said of the appointment, which technically makes Sessions and Fire Chief Ron Peebles his immediate subordinates. “Tomorrow is going to be a different day. However, I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life and career. There’s a lot to do, and this frees me up to do the things that are needed. I want to push this city forward.
“I have loved being part of Atmore Police Department, and I think the men and women here do a tremendous job. I’m not going anywhere, but still, I’ll have a different role.”
Among his primary duties, the new PSD will be responsible for making sure all policies and procedures are updated when changes are made at the state or federal levels, and will maintain contact with state and federal agencies, especially during a hurricane or other natural disaster.
Sessions, who joined Atmore Police Department (APD) as a patrol officer 12 years ago and has for the past couple of years been the city’s de facto assistant police chief, has steadily climbed the departmental ladder until finally reaching its uppermost rung.
He went from patrol officer to sergeant, then to captain, and finally, major.
“I started at the bottom, and I’ve been working my way up,” he said, noting that he has learned a lot from his predecessor in that time. “Basically, the chief has set a great foundation that will make the transition easier for me. He has been a mentor to me, and I basically want to build on what he started, to make Atmore safer.”
Brooks has no doubt Sessions will make a fine chief of police.
“I think he will do a tremendous job,” the former chief said. “He’s like me; he loves Atmore and wants to help move the city forward. I will be available to him 24/7.”
APD Lt. Chance Thompson, who formerly served as chief of Flomaton’s police department, is also sure the move will turn out to be a good one.
“I think it’s really good,” Thompson said. “Both (Brooks and Sessions) have a vast amount of experience. I’m for it 100-percent.”
