Heard now Cordele’s top cop

Chief of Police now official after Tuesday night's city commission approval

CORDELE, GA – The city of Cordele has a new Chief of Police, taking the interim descriptor away from Chief Jalon Heard’s title.

Tuesday night at the city commission meeting, Heard was officially promoted to Chief of Police.

Heard succeeds former chief Mike Hathaway, who brought Heard aboard as his patrol commander.

But Hathaway resigned after ongoing battles with Commission Chairman Joshua Deriso.

In a seeming show of support, Heard tendered his resignation the same day as Hathaway, but was required to work out a two week notice as interim chief.

After Tuesday’s night personnel move, Chief Heard says it was his desire not to leave the department in a lurch and the community’s support of his candidacy.

The new chief says hiring more officers and staff is his top priority.