Caleb Stiles
Andrews – Caleb Stiles of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, a native of Andrews, has been picked to become the town’s next police chief.
Although Mayor Pro Tem Brandi Smith said the process to fill the police chief position was rushed and risked “back-door antics that happen sometimes,” the board of aldermen approved the appointment at its Oct. 11 meeting.
Smith was hoping for a 30-day period to fill the position. She wanted to participate in interviews, but was unable to attend because of her work schedule.
Alderman Steve Jordan praised the work of the late police chief, Rocky Burrell, who died of cancer last month. He said it was time for the town to move forward.
Stiles brings a wide variety of experience to the Andrews Police Department, which has struggled for stability and leadership over a six-year period during which it has
operated under eight chiefs and at one point had no patrol officers.
Stiles is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, rising to the rank of sergeant (E-5, a non-commissioned officer) stationed in Jacksonville.
He has been a deputy with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for eight years, during which time he has been a sergeant, detective and dog handler. Assistant police chief David Southards had been serving as interim chief for the last few weeks.