Phil Campbell gets new police officer

By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
PHIL CAMPBELL – Beginning Aug. 4 the Town of Phil Campbell will have a new police officer on patrol, filling a vacancy left open for several months.
Franklin County Sheriff's Deputy Josh Tompkins has accepted the full-time position in Phil Campbell and is working out a notice with the Sheriff's Department.
"I am excited about the change, and I am ready to start [the new job]," Tompkins said.
Tompkins began working for the Sheriff's Department three years ago as a corrections officer, and later became a deputy.
The Phil Campbell Town Council hired Tompkins unanimously during their council meeting on July 17.
The town had been looking for an officer already certified with A-post to fill their vacant position, Police Chief Merrell Potter said.
"We have been working short-handed for about three months, but we needed an applicant that is already certified with A-post," Potter said.
Potter added that some of the part-time officers were working full-time hours to help fill the gap. The addition of Tompkins gives the department three full-time officers and three part-time officers.
"Even though we are a small town, we have to serve and protect our citizens the same amount of hours as larger departments," Potter said.
Tompkins is a native of Russellville.