Beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday the city of Starkville Board of Aldermen will interview four candidates for the Starkville Police Department’s chief position. 
Frank Nichols and Bobby Grimes from Starkville, Frederick Shelton from Columbus, and James Reed from Jacksonsville, NC are the candidates.
In December, David Lindley, SPD’s former police chief who had been with the force for 38 years, retired after being placed on an administrative leave by the Board of Aldermen. 
Scott Maynard, Ward 5 alderman, said the Board of Aldermen will interview four candidates for the police chief position next Tuesday.
“One of the candidates is internal, and three are external.  One of those is from out of state, North Carolina, and the other two are local to the Golden Triangle,” Maynard said in an email. 
Former Ward 2 Alderman Sandra Sistrunk said she is surprised there are four candidates because she was only aware of two. 
“Not having a police chief was disappointing. I am very comfortable with John Outlaw serving as the interim chief. I think the police force as a whole are well-trained and professional. I hope the aldermen do what they need to do to get the best qualified person that they can for that job,” Sistrunk said. 
Former city administrator Lynn Spruill said the chief of police position is critical to the future of our city.
Spruill said public safety is the most fundamental role that a municipal government plays in its citizens’ lives making this decision a pivotal one.
“The previous chief made huge strides in fostering professionalism through national accreditation. The next Chief needs to understand and maintain that progress,” she said.
Spruill in an email also said she believes outside leadership can bring fresh perspectives but the new way of thinking needs to outweigh the benefits of someone who understands the community.
Kenneth Spencer, Mississippi State University’s interim police chief, said MSUPD and SPD do not have a formal partnership, but, as any other law enforcement agency, MSUPD and SPD assist each other whenever needed.
“MSU is in the county, which falls under the jurisdiction of the sheriff’s department, but because the university has its own police department, we handle all our law enforcement efforts on the MSU campus and any of its properties,” Spencer said.