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Officer offered Beach top-cop job
Colonial Beach offers police chief post to Hampton officer
Date published: 12/15/2007
BY FRANK DELANO
Hampton police Investigator Christopher Carson Hawkins may become the next police chief of Colonial Beach.
The Town Council voted 5-2 Thursday night to offer the job to Hawkins, who began his police career in 1990 as a dispatcher for the Suffolk Police Department.
Mayor G.W. "Pete" Bone Jr. said yesterday he intended to issue a news release when Hawkins had signed an employment contract with the town. However, the town had not issued a statement about Hawkins as of 5 p.m. yesterday.
If Hawkins accepts the job offer, he would replace Courtlandt A. Turner, who is retiring next month after six years as chief.
In May, a federal judge acquitted Turner and police Sgt. Ryan of charges arising from two Taser incidents in 2005. A month after the trial, nine of the town's 11 uniformed officers signed a letter to the Town Council complaining of Turner's leadership.
In August, the council asked an outside consultant to evaluate Turner's performance as chief. In September, Turner announced his intention to retire Jan. 2.
Hawkins, 37, joined the Virginia State Police in 1993. According to his resume, he supervised 50 police personnel in the Norfolk-Virginia Beach area.
Since 2006, he has specialized in street crimes and drug cases for the Hampton Police Division.
According to council and police sources, the council selected Hawkins over two veteran Colonial Beach officers who had applied for the job, Lts. George L. Devers and Kenneth Blevins Sr.
Council members Steve Kennedy and Linda Crandell voted against Hawkins.
"I had nothing against Hawkins," said Kennedy, "but I was in favor of promoting from within the department. It would have sent a strong message that capable, experienced officers can expect to advance to the top."
Crandell declined comment on why she voted against Hawkins.
Frank Delano: 804/333-3834
Email: fpdelano@gmail.com
Date published: 12/15/2007
Most recent reader comments:
Time for a change
(posted by
CBCit
, Dec. 18, 2007 9:37 am)
If this is how Town Concil and the Mayor want to show there support to the Town and an officer that has been dedicated to the Town and Police Department, then they need to go. If they would rather bring in someone from somewhere else and not promote within, then lets not re-elect them. Show your support and vote against the ones that voted against to promote with in.
Hard work and dedication
(posted by
newbeacher
, Dec. 17, 2007 10:26 am)
should be rewarded, but in Colonial Beach the council seems to feel there are better qualified candidates outside of the veterans on our own police force. Who better to lead the department than an officer who has the respect of his fellow policeman and who has the experience and knowledge of Colonial Beach's needs for the saftey and well being of it's citizens. I agree with Mr, Kennedy and am in favor of promoting from within the department so that our officers can expect advancement in our own town.
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