Alachua swears in new police chief

 

 

SUZETTE COOK/Alachua County Today
Alachua's new Police Chief Chad D. Scott is sworn in on Monday, July 13. APD's former chief Joel DeCoursey, right, served as Scott's mentor.

 

ALACHUA -- When Alachua Police Department Chief Chad D. Scott finished his oath during the swearing in ceremony held on July 13 at Alachua City Hall, the room erupted in applause and K-9 barking. APD officers, Alachua County deputies and law enforcement from neighboring communities, including High Springs, were in attendance.

At Scott’s request, Alachua County Court Judge Susanne Wilson Bullard conducted the swearing in.

As Former APD Chief Joel DeCoursey Jr. stood by Scott’s side holding the Bible that Scott’s left hand rested on, Scott raised his right hand and pledged to “well and faithfully discharge the duties of the chief of police of the city of Alachua, Florida, so help me God.”

Scott then addressed the city staff and commission and provided his background in law enforcement.

“I started in law enforcement in 1990,” he began, and then he made a list of positions he has held in law enforcement.

According to the APD, “During his tenure at the Sheriff's Office, Chief Scott served in several capacities to include Patrol Deputy, School Resource Deputy, Detective, Special Operations, and SWAT. In 2008, Chief Scott began serving the citizens of Alachua as a reserve police officer. After a short time in the reserve program, Chief Scott was hired on as a full-time officer. He was assigned to the Patrol Division until his appointment to the Traffic Safety Unit.

“In March of 2010, Chief Scott was promoted to the rank of Detective and assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division where he investigated multiple high profile cases. In May of 2011, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and assigned to the Patrol Division as a supervisor. Chief Scott also supervised the Traffic Safety Unit until his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant in November of 2011. As a Lieutenant, Chief Scott was responsible for the oversight of Police Operations and Administration. In August of 2014, he assumed the position of Deputy Chief of Police and was responsible for the day to day operations of the Police Department.”

Scott said during his speech that he enjoyed his time working for the ACSO, but that God directed his path in another direction.

“What I thought was my worst day,” he said referring to his dismissal from his position after being accused of allegedly filling out timesheets incorrectly. He paused for a minute and took a deep breath before he continued, “Turned [out] to be my best day ever.”

The State’s Attorney was unable to substantiate the claims, and after Scott left the ACSO, he was hired by the city of Alachua.

Scott said he is grateful for the opportunity to continue to grow in his new position.

“Law enforcement was my passion ever since I was a teenager,” he said. He described himself as a kid who always talked with local law enforcement, and asked a lot of questions, learning about the career by listening to officers’ stories.

“My work ethic has always spoken for itself,” he said. “I just think the city of Alachua noticed my work ethic. They recognized it as an asset to the ‘Good Life Community.’ ”

Scott told the commission and staff that he knows what it takes to be a chief with passion.

“You have to be engaged in your community,” he said. “That consists of, at times, of being a big brother or a big sister, a mentor…a counselor, a dad or a mother, a teacher. Sometimes you have to be a minister or a deacon. And my most favorite is being a coach.”

Scott made a promise to Alachua.

“We are always going to be professional and treat people fair,” he said and added, “I want to humbly thank you for this opportunity.”

Scott recognized retired Police Chief Joel DeCoursey Jr.

“Now Chief Joel DeCoursey will always be chief,” Scott said. “But I’ll always be the new chief.”

DeCoursey Jr. then declared from the podium: “You have a new chief. God is truly blessing this community.”

People lined up to speak about Scott. They all had positive comments to make.

Burt Wetherington of Gainesville said he met Scott while attending Lake Forest Elementary School 25 years ago. “He’s always been a part of my family,” Wetherington said. “He is a great leader.”

Pastor Natron Curtis of Mount Zura Full Gospel Baptist Church in Newberry said, “Leadership, fairness, integrity. I look forward to working with him as a pastor also in this community. Congratulations sir, well done.” 

Gainesville City Commissioner Charles Goston said, “Chad is one of the last of the men who is truly a man. He has impeccable ethics and great morals.”

Former County Commissioner Rodney Long said he remembered talking with Scott after Scott lost his job with the ACSO. “This is a vindication to you for all that’s been done bad to you,” Long said.

Law enforcement advocate Bruce Borders said “Usually when you all see me, something’s going bad,” he joked. “If you wouldn’t have made this fine man chief,” he turned to look at Scott, “I would have been up here.”

Borders then congratulated the city for hiring local talent.

“You didn’t get somebody from up north or down south,” Borders said. “You all made a good decision.”

Then Scott’s family took turns congratulating him. “That’s my son,” Scott’s father said. His aunt was next to wish him well.

Then his sister congratulated her “baby brother” and said that she remembered combing Scott’s hair when he was a child. “God bless you,” she said.

His daughter thanked the city for giving her father a chance. “Always my hero,” she said as she turned to her father. “Make Alachua proud,” she added.

James Sheppard, assistant principal at Eastside High School in Gainesville said, “We’re not brothers by blood. But I love this man with all my heart.”

Tara Malone, Chief Scott's administrative assistant then addressed the commission and staff.

“He has been a leader for us. It really is a family here. A lot of people don’t have sight of that or lose touch of it,” she said. “I think we have someone who is going to help us hold onto it.”

Mayor Gib Coerper then thanked former Chief DeCoursey Jr. for his service and welcomed newly sworn Chief Chad Scott.

Commissioner Robert Wilford said he was in favor of Scott taking over. “I know you’ll do an outstanding job,” he said.

Vice-Mayor Ben Boukari Jr. thanked the city staff for finding the best candidate for the job and said he was grateful that Scott was promoted. “You can look within and find great leaders,” Boukari said.

Commissioner Shirley Green Brown gave her blessings.

City Manager Traci Cain said to Chief Scott, “I’ve always had the utmost confidence in your abilities and who you are as a person. And you have so much respect from everyone at the city…and especially the officers,” she said. “I found that out years ago, when you first started here.

“I have all the confidence in the world in you, and I’m so proud of you.”