| Barfield sworn in as UC police chief |
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Posted: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 9:04 pm
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Perry Barfield
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By CHRIS MENEES
Staff Reporter
The interim title has been removed from Perry Barfield’s name.
Barfield was officially named Union City’s police chief this morning.
He previously served as assistant police chief and was heading up the Union City Police Department in an interim capacity following the retirement of longtime chief Joe Garner in May.
Barfield said he is excited about the opportunity to serve as police chief and will focus on objectives of “doing a good job and having officers continue to focus on the needs of the community.”
“I feel blessed,” he said. “It’s been an aspiration ever since I got into law enforcement to reach this position. I feel blessed and give the credit to my Lord and Savior. Without Him, it wouldn’t have happened.”
Barfield said he will maintain an open door policy and welcomes any concerns or questions from the community.
“I want to continue to carry on the professionalism instilled in the department and improve on that,” he added.
Barfield, 55, has been with the police department for 30 years and served as assistant police chief the past 11 years. He had been serving as interim chief following Garner’s official retirement May 19.
Originally from Nash-ville, Barfield has lived in northwest Tennessee for the past 37 years and graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. He began his law enforcement career with the Martin Police Department and was there about two years before joining the Union City police force.
Union City city manager Kathy Dillon, who announced the promotion this morning, said Barfield has served in an interim chief capacity for six months and done an outstanding job. She said she has received very positive feedback from employees and the community.
“He has done everything and more that has been asked and has done it professionally,” she said. “He has earned this opportunity.”
She said she has the utmost confidence in Barfield’s ability to serve as Union City’s chief law enforcement officer.
“He’s done a fantastic job,” she added.
Staff Reporter Chris Menees may be contacted by email at cmenees@ucmessenger.com. Published in The Messenger 11.13.12 |
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