Perry police chief job narrowed to two candidates

Perry Police captains, Bill Phelps and Heath Dykes, were among the six candidates who interviewed for the position, but were not chosen for the position.

“It is in no way (demeaning) the qualifications or long work history and job they have done for the department,” stated Mayor Jimmy Faircloth, about Dykes and Phelps not being named as candidates.

“Council had a very tough decision,” said Faircloth after the called meeting Thursday.

Councilman Joe Posey said the council entered into the “process to find the very best police chief we could find.”

The council, with Phyllis Bynum-Grace and Riley Hunt missing, voted unanimously to narrow the six candidates down to two.

The police chief position was opened due to the retirement of Chief George Potter in June.

According to Faircloth, the council will meet again to hold second interviews with Lynn and Ricketson. The date of the interviews was not specified during the meeting.