By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Sept. 12, 2002
Meridian Police Chief Benny DuBose says his second-in-command should be named "soon."
The department has been without an assistant police chief since July 20, 2001 when former chief Gregg Lewis retired and DuBose stepped up from assistant chief to become the interim police chief.
DuBose's appointment as the city's permanent chief of police came more than six months ago.
The Civil Service Commission has certified three candidates for the job: Capt. Betty Evans, Capt. Keith McCary and Lt. Al Brown.
Mayor John Robert Smith said earlier this month that he was waiting for DuBose's recommendation.
The vacancy was held open for several months after Capt. Theresa Cutwright questioned the validity of a test administered April 17 to candidates for the position. Cutwright took the test, but failed.
Cutwright appealed to the Meridian Civil Service Commission in May. The commission, however, ruled in July that the test was fair.
Since then, DuBose said he has been evaluating the three candidates. His latest test involved having each of the candidates serve as interim assistant police chief for a week.