Crime numbers, citizen satisfaction speak well of retiring cop
By Kevin Walters
THE TENNESSEAN
FRANKLIN — Franklin Police Chief Jackie Moore's first day as a sworn police officer came on July 4, 1964, in Jackson, Tenn. He carried a pistol and bullets he had to buy himself and had no days off. His uniform, however, was city-provided.
Moore can remember wearing that uniform for the first time and the feeling that came with it, a mixture of pride and fear.
"I think every police officer, when they put the uniform on for the first time, has the impression that everybody in the world is staring at them," Moore said. "That's what it felt like when I put that uniform on."
Come Feb. 17, 2011, Moore, 73, is stepping down from a post he's held since 1995. Though his departure was long rumored as the Columbia Avenue police headquarters was being built, Moore said he never gave any thought to retiring until recently.
He's leaving simply because it's his time, and not because he was asked by any city officials. Since making the announcement, he hasn't had a second thought.
"It's kind of an exciting time," said Moore. "I haven't had any bittersweetness, but I'm kind of expecting that a little bit closer to the last day on the job. It's been more excitement."
Success amid challenges
His departure next year comes at a time when Franklin has recently opened arguably the most advanced police headquarters in the state, a $36 million facility that past and present officials say will cover Franklin's law enforcement needs for decades.
Yet, it's also a period when the city budget's been strained because of declining sales tax revenues, forcing budget cuts three times in two years.
Though Franklin Police gets a $13.6 million budget (at 27 percent of the city's general fund, it is the second-largest budget allotment), tighter times have hit the department, creating 19 vacancies, including 13 unfilled police officer positions. While the city's crime numbers haven't suffered, Moore says eventually Franklin will need more police officers to cope with the demands of a city with nearly 60,000 people. The city's police department has 176 full-time employees.
"We've been able to do more than less," Moore said.
"Sometimes I've been amazed at the productivity and the commitment and the dedication of the police officers," he said.
Despite challenges, performance measures show Franklin at pace or exceeding national averages on a number of fronts, including violent crimes and property crimes per 1,000. The department also has seen its number of dispatched calls rise sharply, from little more than 46,000 in 2007 to 67,422 last year.
Who's next?
City officials won't tarry long in seeking replacements to fill a job.
City Administrator Eric Stuckey says he'll turn to a national search to gather potential candidates. As for qualifications, he's looking for law enforcement leaders who can troubleshoot problems on the horizon, build a team and roll with unexpected challenges.
Getting the right fit is critical for Franklin, said Stuckey, who will have the final say-so on the hire.
"It is the most important hire I will make, I expect, here at the city," Stuckey said. "You really
can't try to have too limited or too specific a list of 'you have to haves' because the challenges five years from now may be very different than what we envision today."
Maggi McLean Duncan, executive director of the Tennessee Association of Police Chiefs, believes Franklin will get strong interest for the job and called it among the top 10 police positions in the state because of the community and support for police from elected officials. Moore earns a bit more than $101,000 annually, records show.
"It is a very healthy market for chief law enforcement executives as it is usually for the simple fact that the best of the best usually rise to the top," Duncan said. "That will be a highly sought-after position."
Moore also will be a part of the team who picks a new chief. But he's narrowed his own list to one. Moore believes Assistant Chief David Rahinsky should be Franklin's next chief.
"The leadership is here. The desire is here," Moore said.
Rahinsky, who was hired in 2006 as deputy chief after serving in two cities in Florida, has been a fast climber in the department, earning a promotion earlier this year to be the department's first assistant chief. Asked for comment on Moore's support, Rahinksy said had little to say.
"This is about Chief Moore and his long and illustrious career in public service," Rahinsky said in a written statement. "There will be time to talk about those things later."
Former Nashville police chief Joe Casey, a friend of Moore, believes Franklin officials should promote from within for the long-term good of the department.
"You've got somebody there that already knows the people and already knows the community and what the people want," Casey said.
Getting someone who has not worked in Franklin could pose problems, Casey warned.
"It sends a message to the police officers that you hire that they can't all make chief of police," Casey said. "If you tell them that you're not going to be chief of police, I think deep down it hurts morale."
But Stuckey, who has not ruling out promoting from within, counters that a national search adds to the credibility of whoever gets picked.
"They earned it through a broad-based process that really sought the very best candidate and the very best match for us," Stuckey said.
Stuckey said he'll get input from the entire police department, city leaders community members along the way in the process. He complimented Rahinsky and welcomed internal candidates to apply for the job.
Life in uniform
While Franklin leaders are beginning to start their search, Moore is looking back on his career here in Franklin, and a life defined by military and police service.
His life in uniform began when Moore went into the military when he was 16.
"When I found out I had to be 17, I hurried the birthday up," Moore said. "In fact, my military records show that I'm a year older than I really am."
After nine years in the U.S. Army before receiving an honorable discharge as staff sergeant, he became a police officer, eventually becoming chief of police in Martin, Tenn., before coming to Franklin. He is a 1972 graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Have all the decades of being a police officer and looking at some dark behavior from people changed him along the way? Moore remains upbeat.
"I'm by nature very positive about human beings," Moore said. "But with 45-plus years, there's a lot of skepticism, sometimes cynicism. By and large, I'm very positive about it."
When he leaves in February, Moore said he's looking forward to spending time with his family and possibly doing some consulting work.
Ironically, Moore, who began his career as a small-town beat cop, believes technological advancements will help make the difference in solving crimes that are becoming increasingly complex.
"Whatever crimes and whatever methodology that minds can generate to deny other people their goods and their property and even deny them their safety, the minds and the creativity of the police officers ... is much more adequate than enough to bring justice," Moore said.
Caption:City of Franklin Police Chief Jackie Moore plans to retire in February. He says he is looking forward to having more time with his family. He may do some consulting work.
SHELLEY MAYS / THE TENNESSEAN