Spencer police chief honored during board meeting
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 11, 2015
- Spencer Police Chief Mike James, right, accepts a plaque of commendation from Town Manager Larry Smith during Tuesday's Board of Aldermen meeting. Smith praised James for his efforts to reduce crime in the town.
Spencer Town Manager Larry Smith commended Police Chief Mike James for this efforts to reduce crime since becoming chief during Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen meeting.
The main reason for the honor was the recent release of the town’s 2014 crime statistics from the State Bureau of Investigation.
According to the figures Smith presented, major crimes — robbery, assault, vehicle theft, etc. – fell 12 percent from 2013 to ’14. In 2012, the chief’s first full year, major crime dropped 22 percent from 2011 – when 236 major crimes were reported.
James started as police chief in 2011.
Smith surprised James with the praise and presented him with a plaque.
James passed the praise onto his officers for the work they do everyday.
“I don’t deserve the credit,” he said, “It’s these guys right here,” referring to police officers at the meeting.
Spencer currently has 13 full-time officers.
James later thanked the town’s citizens for being active and keeping the police informed about what they see happening in the town.
During the meeting, the board approved the $4,750 contract for the town’s auditor, Eddie Carrick, CPA, for the current fiscal year. Another accountant, Brent Parks, will get $3,250 for work he does relating to the town’s annual audit. Both fees are the same amount as last year.
In other business Tuesday, the board:
• adopted a resolution to accept the updated hazard mitigation plan for the county.
Frank Thomason, the county’s director of emergency services, told the board the biggest threats to the county are winter storms and summer tornadoes.
Contact Reporter David Purtell at 704-797-4264.
