JOHN POWELL OF PENSACOLA FLORIDA IS DOTHAN`S NEW CHIEF OF POLICE

After several months, the search to find who would replace John White as Dothan`s next police chief has finally come to an end. The announcement came yesterday morning that the City Commission had approved the hiring of John R. Powell, a law instructor from Pensacola, Florida, as the new chief. We apoke live with Mr. Powell on our five o`clock newscast yesterday, and he told us he was looking forward to the position, and says he plans to run a very professional organization. News 18`s Havonnah Johnson interviewed several Dothan officials and residents yesterday to get their reaction to the hiring. Mike Williams, a Dothan resident said, "It all started with the resignation of former Captain Jim Smith to allegations of pager cloning and even accusations of racism." Chief John Powell has been made aware of these problems, and today he assured us and the community he is ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work, and members of the police department are welcoming the work and the new chief. Dothan Interim Chief and Capt. Steve Parrish says the community members aren`t the only ones who is glad to see a new chief, and says the department is glad to get a new boss. Parrish said, "we are very excited...everyone in the department complimented on how well he was received." The official start date for the new chief will be March 15th.