MOULTRIE — Questions from the public regarding the recent appointment of an acting chief of police and moving the former chief to other duties have centered around paying two high ranking officers at the same time and not having advertised the position of acting chief. Sean Ladson, formerly with the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Department, was named to the interim position. Veteran Chief of Police Frank Lang, two years away from retirement, has assumed a new position involving public relations to develop an “open policing” concept.

City Manager Pete Dillard said the city was not required to advertise Ladson’s position since it is not considered permanent.

“In two years, when Frank Lang retires, then the position of chief of police will be advertised,” he said.

Dillard said in a few days, there will be an open house downtown where Lang’s office will be located in the old Littleton’s shoe shop on First Street.

Dillard said Lang’s role is to pull the community together.

“I’ve met with the local NACCP on this and they are good with it,” said Dillard. “I think he will have a very positive impact in this role. That’s his strong suit.”

There has also been comments about the new acting chief “cleaning house.”  Dillard said two officers were let go because of conduct issues in their prior employment.

As for “paying two chiefs,” as some have voiced concern about in The Moultrie Observer’s Rants and Raves forum, Dillard said this move will not have a negative impact on the budget. He said retirement of a couple of high-paid officers will account for this matter.

“My background is finance and accounting,” said Dillard. “I can assure you that the numbers will be in place.”

Dillard said there are some changes coming in police department policy. He said effective Oct. 1, officers living outside of the county will no longer be able to take their cars home with them. They will have to drive their own vehicles.

Also, Dillard said he would propose to city council that no officer beyond certain ranks will be able to live outside of the county. Dillard said if that is put into place, those who fit that criteria will be given time to make that change.

“We’ve got to get our officers out on the street, not spending time at the police station,” said Dillard.

He said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been consulting with the city on the concept of “open policing” and getting the community more involved .

As well, he said the Georgia State Patrol is working a lot of traffic cases in the city now. And Dillard said those fines will go to the city.

On his swearing in as acting chief, Ladson said visibility and accessibility are two of his priorities with that focus being brought to bear especially in high-crime areas of the city.

Ladson said that patrolling the streets and getting the community involved in helping to keep the city safer are the means of implementing those priorities.

“Patrol officers, in my opinion, are the backbone of the police department,” he said during an interview following his swearing-in ceremony. “They’re the first responders to any scene.”

Ladson, who previously headed up the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office’s Drug Enforcement Team, said the plan is a simple one — be seen and listen to the people being served.

“We’re going to do our jobs policing the community and fighting crime,” he said. “While doing our jobs effectively, we’re going to build relationships with the community. I’m going to have an open-door policy (for) any citizen.”

Ladson acknowledged that one issue noted is that patrol shifts have been staffed at three or four officers instead of the seven officers that were on the streets on shift in the past.

“We’re going to be looking into that,” he said. “We’re going to be looking at and targeting high-crime areas. We’ll identify high-crime areas, and, if we can, adding more patrols in those areas.”