Peabody loses another cop, is interviewing candidates
Staff writer
Having lost or fired seven key employees in less than three months, Peabody City Council members are interviewing candidates to replace them.
They are in need of a public works director, a police chief, a city clerk, a municipal court clerk and police secretary, and a police officer.
Officer Presley Mabe turned in his badge and gun June 12, just two days after the resignation of municipal court clerk Beth Peter.
Previous to Mabe and Peter’s resignations, city clerk Jylle Wilson was fired, treasurer Lori Pickens resigned, Police Chief Travis Wilson resigned after a contentious executive session, and public works director Zac Thackston resigned.
The council had special meetings behind closed doors Monday and Tuesday to interview candidates for the positions.
Peabody’s only remaining police officer is Medina Sulejmani, who reportedly was on vacation most of last week.
Undersheriff Larry Starkey said the sheriff’s office would provide at least four deputies for security at Thursday’s 4th Fest celebration at Peabody.
The sheriff’s office already is providing extra help for Marion. Marion has three certified police officers, including interim Police Chief Zach Hudlin, Aaron Slater, and Dustin Woodford, who completed police training Friday.
Three deputies just completed police academy, and the sheriff’s office has 11 full-time officers.