This may be counterproductive, but I’m going to throw my support behind Nichole Mosley as McMinnville’s next police chief.

I say it may be counterproductive because I’ve found, on balance, people generally don’t listen to anything I have to say. Or if they do, they decide to do exactly the opposite of what I suggest.

So it’s with a touch of trepidation that I say Capt. Mosley should get the police chief job. She’s certainly earned it through 25 years of service with McMinnville Police Department where she leads the investigation unit. From everything I can determine, and from feedback I’ve heard from her co-workers over the years, she’s done a first-rate job and is well-respected within the department for her professionalism and attention to detail.

There have been two other applicants for the posted position from Manchester and Murfreesboro and it’s reassuring to know there’s outside interest in our Police Department. It would raise questions if such a high-profile job was posted and there was no outside interest at all.

My stance has always been that local jobs should go to local people if at all possible and police chief falls into this category. There’s no reason to look outside our current staff of police officers when Capt. Mosley has applied for the job. She's decidated a large portion of her career to our Police Department and she deserves a chance.

Topping her list of credentials, Capt. Mosley is a graduate of the prestigious FBI Academy, which is viewed as the premier leadership training ground for law enforcement officials. To hire someone from out of town, instead of promoting from within the department, would be a poor message to send. 

If Capt. Mosley does get the job, in a decision that’s expected to be made in the next few weeks, it would be a groundbreaking move. She would be the first female police chief in McMinnville history.

On Wednesday, I conducted an interview with Carol Hamblen for an upcoming story. Many local residents may remember Carol is the only female to be elected Warren County Executive when she won that office in 1998.

We talked about her accomplishments, and her challenges, and Carol admitted some people didn’t think she should be county executive because she’s a woman. Carol recalled during one tense conversation she was told she should go home to the kitchen because she had no business serving as the leader of Warren County government.

I think we’ve made strides in the gender equality battle since Hamblen left office a little more than 18 years ago. Promoting Capt. Mosley to police chief would be another positive step.

This is not to suggest she should be given the job because she’s a woman. That’s not what I’m saying. She should get the job because she’s earned it through top-notch police work for over two decades and is a dedicated professional.

Standard editor James Clark can be reached at 473-2191.