Selma mayor names interim police chief

Johnathan Cole – Photo contributed to WAKA Action 8 News

Selma Mayor James Perkins, Jr., has named an interim police chief while the status of suspended police chief Kenta Fulford is determined.

Perkins has named Johnathan Cole. Cole works for the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office as chief investigator and assistant chief.

Perkins put Fulford on paid administrative leave in April, saying there was a lack of professionalism at the police department, in addition to a lack of a proper response by police to calls for assistance from the school system when trouble arose.

Cole’s appointment will continue until Fulford can have a personnel hearing before Selma City Council. That is scheduled for June 24.

This is the second time that Perkins has suspended Fulford. The last time, city council reversed his decision.