Mobile Police Chief Retiring

Alabama Mobile BREAKING NEWS Mobile Police Chief Phillip Garrett is retiring October 1 after 38 years with the department.

by Jamie Burch

Published: Thu, August 27, 2009 - 10:22 am CST Last Updated: Thu, August 27, 2009 - 1:38 pm CST

BREAKING NEWS

Mobile Police Chief Phillip Garrett is retiring October 1 on the advice of his family and doctors.

During a 1:00 p.m. news conference seen live on wkrg.com, Garrett said, "I've got a few health issues that are manageable, but I'm going to deal with them in a better fashion."

Garrett did not go into detail about those health issues. "When I spent a few days in the hospital back in the early part of the summer, that's when I began to think about my future. And when doctor after doctor kept telling me I need to retire, that's when it clicked in"

Garrett began his career with the department in September of 1971. He was appointed Police Chief in July 2006 by Mayor Sam Jones. Garrett took over for Sam Cochran who stepped down in March of that same year after 10 years as Police Chief to run for Mobile County Sheriff.

"It's been a great job for 38 years," said Garrett. "I appreciate the opportunity to serve this city."

"Chief Garrett has been an exceptional chief," said Mayor Jones. "He's done an excellent job. I was somewhat saddened by his retirement."

Garrett is credited with putting a record number of officers on the streets and reducing crime in the Port City. But his department has come under fire in recent months for several high profile incidents, including the arrest of an elderly woman who urinated in Bienville Square and the tasing of a deaf and mentally challenged man.

Mayor Jones says Chief Deputy Chief Lester Hargrove will serve as interim chief until Garrett's replacement is found. Hargrove served as interim chief for four months in 2006 when Cochran resigned. He was a finalist for Police Chief, along with Garrett, Deputy Chief James Barber and William Green from Knoxville, Tennessee.

The mayor does not have a timeline for finding a new police chief, but he says they will not do a nationwide search. "I don't see why we can't do either promotions from in house or local."

But Jones says Debra Mack, who retired earlier this month as Special Agent in Charge of the Mobile FBI office, will not be a candidate.

News 5's Tiffany Craig broke the story of Mack's retirement. A source tells her Mack was given a choice, retire or be demoted to a field agent. The same source told Tiffany that Mack and Mayor Jones were part of federal internal investigation that's two years in the making. But Jones denied knowing anything about a federal investigation.

When Tiffany asked Jones today whether Mack would be a candidate for police chief, Jones said "She's not in this department. She's not in house."

Changing what he said moments earlier, Jones said the next chief will be someone from within the department.

Garrett said he doesn't have any future plans, other than seeing his parents and going hunting. But he is excited "about what lies beyond."

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rmseek1234 Says:

Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 8:19 am

Right! Keep those delusions going.lol

BamaBob Says:

Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 8:14 am

And where would that be? Next to open-minded, astute, learned, informed, well-read, in the know…….

rmseek1234 Says:

Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 7:59 am

We all know where your name is too.

BamaBob Says:

Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 7:56 am

Both sides of the story? Your name is in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary next to tunnel vision!

rmseek1234 Says:

Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 7:46 am

Actually, I would put the blame where it was due (on the guy who ran and caused the wreck in the first place). And actually, I am a kind and compassionate person-BUT, I live in reality and like to look at both sides of the story,not just what the media reports. I am very fortunate that in my job I see the REAL world on a daily basis. Life and work experiences tend to get you from behind rose-colored glasses. I LOVE what I do, and I love that I have inside knowledge about the real world of LE-something that I realize, for most people is hard to comprehend. So if my comments come across as mean, they are not intended to. I just want people to see beyond the media reports, beyond their limited knowledge and to TRULY look at all sides. I will amend my “mean” comment-if I am attacked and provoked by the regular bullies on here,then yes, I will push back-because I take bull from NO ONE.(and no jlb, I do not consider you one of those folks):)

BamaBob Says:

Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 7:33 am

There is also a lot of buzz about Fire Chief Dean. Some are wondering what he will face when he gets back from his trip.

Word is an uncontested Mayor just got handed four more years and he wants to make some changes, or take care of some friends. The slant on that one just depends on who is talking…....

jlb1198 Says:

Fri, Aug 28, 2009 at 7:20 am

rmseek, no they didnt know he was mentally challenged but once they did they should have arrested him, I am a compasionate person so I feel sorry for people, I could only hope and pray that nothing like these events, meaning this car accident where a life was lost, ever happens to you or your family, cause I probably know that the first thing you would do is blame the officer who was in pursuit, its human nature to want to blame one if not all parties involved, as wrong as I may be blaiming this officer if it happened to me, I would out of hurt and anger. And yes I read up on stories not reported and it is a shame that more of that isnt in the news, because thats what we really need to hear about, the crime being put to a hault in this city!!

rmseek1234 Says:

Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 5:37 pm

I would have a problem putting any stock in anything you “hear.” Past experience and all that.

BamaBob Says:

Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 5:30 pm

Jamie Burch - Keep a close eye on this one. Wheels within wheels are turning fast and furious, so I hear…...

Great1 Says:

Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 5:23 pm

Everybody benefits from MPD even if they don’t support them. I don’t have any connection to anyone in LE. Just try to support them and what they do on here. Nice to get a little thanks for that.

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