TRI-LAKES AREA — Mike McCormick, a 28-year veteran of the Hot Springs Police Department, enjoys his new job as interim police chief, but that doesn’t mean he wants the job permanently.
“I have no plan to put in my application as the permanent chief,” McCormick said. “I am enjoying the job very much.
There are new challenges every day.” McCormick has the permanent rank of captain and retains his position as head of the services division of the departmentwhile he acts as chief.
“It was a surprise,” McCormick said of his appointment on July 1 by City Manager Lance Hudnell.
The appointment came after former chief Bobby Southard, 62, announced June 7 that he would retire at the end of the month after three years as the city’s top cop.
Southard said his plans were to relax.
“I’ve been in this business for about 33 years, and in the last three, even while on vacation, my cell phone rings off thewall,” Southard said.
The interim chief said he and his staff have been making changes in police personnel, working to get the department to a full force of 105 officers.
“Finding good people is hard, but it is a problem for most departments in the U.S.,” McCormick said. “There have also been a lot of retirements of senior officers, but we have a lot of bright people coming up through the ranks prepared to step into their shoes.”
Another priority has been the use of $2 million in grants for new technology. There is a plan to install mobile data terminals and video cameras in all of the department’s patrol cars.
“We’ve received these grants over the last two to three years, and some projects have been completed, and some are in their infancy,” he said.
Officers are also being issued electronic control devices called Stingers that McCormick said are similar to Tasers. Officers are also getting more firepower as M16 rifles are deployed to police.
“I also want to raise morale to the best level I can,” he said. “It’s not a problem, but there is also room for improvement.”
McCormick said he has been impressed by the support he has received from officers in the department, and it is appreciated.
The son of a retired member of the Air Force, McCormick was born in London, England, and moved around air bases until the family settled in South Dakota. A1981 graduate of South Dakota State University, McCormick had visited Hot Springs before joining the police force in 1982.
“I liked Hot Springs,” he said. “It is a nice city and relatively quiet.”
He started working as a patrol officer and advanced to positions in narcotics, research and planning, and public relations. He also served as training coordinator. McCormick was promoted to captain in 2008, first overseeing the criminal investigation division and heading the services division since 2009.
That division oversees the department’s $11 million budget, training, police vehicles, school resource officers, records and warrants, he said.
City Manager Hudnell has said the department is in good hands during the interim. He announced the formation of a citizens committee to assist in the selection of the permanent chief and has opened a national search.
“Obviously, this is a critical position, particularly in this time in the history of the city,” Hudnell said.
After the new permanent chief is found, McCormick said, he will be happy to return to the rank of captain and focus his attention on the services division.
“I can stay another five years, and at this point I will look at staying at least a couple of years,” he said.
- wbryan@ arkansasonline.com
Tri-Lakes, Pages 139 on 07/25/2010