Long-time police officer Christopher Reed was named interim chief of police for the City of Walthourville and took his oath of office Sept. 13, during the city’s regular council meeting. 

Reed, who has been in law enforcement for 18 years, was named interim chief after former police chief Al Hagan resigned from the position to become the Liberty County Sheriff ’s Office chief deputy.

Hagan was at the ceremony and said it was a pleasure to serve the community as chief. “When I first got here, everybody asked why, with the career I’ve had, why would I go to Walthourville?” Hagan said. “It was just God’s way of preparing me for bigger things or something different, but here I was able to truly grow and lead men and women who enjoy doing their job. It is so important as a leader that you give your people the power their job.” Hagan said Mayor Larry Baker was one of the best supervisors he’s had in his career. He said the Walthourville Police Department is the most technologically advanced department in the state.

Hagan said Reed is qualified for the position having completed chief school. He credited the entire department in working together to make the department better.

Reed’s first assignment was to announce the promotion of Anthony Hooker to lieutenant.

“First of all, I would like to thank you for entrusting me with this position,” he said to Mayor Baker.

Reed said he would like to sit down with each council member through the next 30 days to discuss any concerns and encouraged council members to attend the next citizen academy. He credited Hagan for bringing more transparency to the department.

In other city business: Mayor and council approved the placement of a double-wide mobile home on Wilder Road, approved a lawn care business license and a mobile shaved ice business, which will be parked at the Walthourville Meat Market.