New Police Chief Ernest Finley Introduced to Montgomery

by WAKA Action 8 News

Montgomery has a new police chief.  Ernest Finley was officially introduced to the city this afternoon and city leaders say he’ll take the police department in the right direction.
 

Ernest Finley was introduced to Montgomery Wednesday afternoon during a press conference at city hall. Finley comes from Atlanta where he has 25 years experience with the Atlanta Police Department. He says Montgomery’s southern hospitality played a part in him taking the job.

“I made some visits to the city,” he says. “Did some extensive internet searching about the city, talked to countless city employees, police personnel, and just to really get a feel for what’s happened in the city.”

Someone who does have a feel for the city of Montgomery is former Police Chief and future Chief Deputy Kevin Murphy. On Wednesday afternoon’s talkback, he said Finley will have to work hard to cut down on violent crime.

“Property crimes, burglaries, and thefts are probably a lot easier to control as far as law agency but violent crime has more of a long term effect,” he says.

City leaders hope Finley will quickly get involved in the community. Freewill Baptist Church Pastor Ed Nettles worked with Murphy to fight crime and says he’d like to do the same with Finley.

“Be transparent,” he says. “Keep the community abreast of everything that’s going on try as hard as possible to gain the communities trust. We don’t know him.”

Finley says he plans to do just that and tells us he wants to make Montgomery the safest city in America.

“My vision is my vision and it’s all about connectivity. It’s all about reducing crime. It’s all about engagement, partnerships, and running the professional organization.”

Finley comes with his wife, who is a 7th grade math teacher. Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange says she is now looking for a job in Montgomery. Finley also has two kids who go to Howard University.