The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday will be asked to remove the interim tag from Cobb Police Chief J.D. Ferrell.
His name has been submitted as the recommendation as the lone finalist for police chief by Cobb County Manager Jackie McMorris, with his tenure to begin immediately if confirmed, according to an agenda item for Tuesday’s meeting.
McMorris said that Ferrell “has distinguished himself with his leadership and management” in a 32-year law enforcement career, including the last 29 years with Cobb Police.
His positions with Cobb have included patrol officer, training, special operations, special investigations and crimes against persons. He also has served as executive officer to the Cobb Director of Public Safety.
Ferrell, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, was named interim chief in April, when Stuart VanHoozer retired.
The MDJ reported last week that Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid wanted former Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields for the job.
But Cupid declined to confirm that information, and the paper quoted Commissioner Keli Gambrill as saying that she thought Shields had “a chip on her shoulder” in the interview process, which apparently included two other unnamed candidates.
Gambrill, in that same report, objected to the process, saying it’s the county manager’s job to recommend a candidate, not the elected chair.
UPDATED, FRIDAY, 3 p.m.:
The Cobb government communications office on Friday sent out an advisory about a press availability with Cupid on Monday, something she has rarely done in five-plus years in office.
“Chairwoman Cupid seeks to provide transparency in addressing challenges with the announced selection of Police Chief and answer questions from the media,” the advisory said.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Shields was a longtime Atlanta police officer and was named chief in 2016, but resigned in 2020 following the shooting death of a man at a Wendy’s restaurant by an officer. That was in the wake of protests following the death of George Floyd.
Shields was named Louisville Police Chief in 2021 but resigned in late 2022 after a new mayor was elected. Shortly after that she was hired later by a technology company in Suwanee that provides training for law enforcement, but her name is no longer listed on its leadership team.
If Ferrell is confirmed, it would continue a pattern of long-time Cobb Police veterans becoming chief. VanHoozer was with the department for 35 years, but served as chief for less than three years. He succeeded Tim Cox, whose long tenure in Cobb also included serving as the Precinct 4 commander in East Cobb.
The Board of Commissioners meeting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the second floor board room of the county office building at 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta. You can view the full agenda by clicking here.
You also can watch the hearing on the county’s website and YouTube channels and on Cobb TV 23 on Comcast Cable.
Related:
- ECBA seeks donations for public safety appreciation event
- Bloodhound ‘Liberty’ joins Cobb Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit
- Cobb Police Precinct 4 officer honored by Cobb Chamber
- East Cobb woman promoted to GBI chemistry division manager
- Cobb 911 upgrades include AI-enhanced phone systems
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