APD waiting for city decision on sergeant title

by Natalie Myers
Staff Writer

Arrangements for the creation of a new position at the Athens Police Department are not yet under way.

The staffing issue began about four years ago after APD Lt. Randy Gray was demoted to officer. An arbitrator decided the demotion was too severe and that Gray should be demoted to sergeant instead

But the APD does not have a sergeant position.

"We are not voluntarily creating a new position," APD Chief Richard Mayer said.

The arbitrator's ruling mandated that APD create the post. But Mayer said he disagreed with the ruling, saying the size of the APD does not warrant another position.

"Departments of our size tend to have a chief, captains, lieutenants and officers," Mayer said. "Larger cities with larger departments have more positions, including sergeants and majors."

City officials still are discussing new duties and a new job description. Athens Personnel Director Beverly Henderson said no meetings have been set to look into the issue further.

Sgt. Earl Smith of the Columbus Division of Police said it is true that bigger departments have a broader, more specialized range of positions.

"(Sergeants) are equivalent to a manager of a business," Smith said. "Sergeants tend to run the business on a daily basis."

In a smaller community, a sergeant might have an even larger variety of responsibilities because of the lack of resources.

"We rely a lot on patrol sergeants," Smith said. "They are invaluable to officers, the department and the public."