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Millsap named new MPD Assistant Chief

Hinkle makes first appointment as Marion’s new top cop

Hinkle makes first appointment as Marion’s new top cop

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Hinkle makes first appointment as Marion’s new top cop

By JOHN RECH

news@theeveningtimes.com

He came out of the night. Many people were in the dark about the new Assistant Police Chief in Marion when Chief Brannon Hinkle promoted Sgt. Jon Millsap last week to the second in command because Millsap had run the night shift. Millsap stepped into the light in an interview with The Evening Times.

Changes came quickly at the Marion Police Department in the weeks since the death of Chief Gary Kelley. Mayor Frank Fogelman appointed Hinkle as chief. He looked within to fill the assistant chief position. Hinkle in turn promoted Millsap as his assistant after the two had worked together for a generation. The 30 member department also transitioned from eight hour shifts to a 12 hour schedule last week.

Millsap started with the Marion Police Department in the summer of 1997 and had worked in the patrol division almost the whole time since. Millsap earned certified police training credentials as a field training officer and taser instructor. Millsap continued working on the special response team. The new assistant chief moved to the criminal investigation division in July. Millsap ascended to the rank of sergeant in 2003.

“I worked third shift from then on, and maintained everything at night,” said Millsap. “The different duties were just an evolution of a police officer doing their job.”

The new assistant chief talked about gratification that comes with the job in an era where the image of policing in general lost its luster.

“There are times when you go on a call and just do your job to help people,” said Millsap. “Then you see that person two or three years later and they say you really helped them with their relationship and changed their life. That’s very gratifying. I always appreciate when people tell me I made a difference.”

Millsap examined being Hinkle’s official right hand man and relying on others through delegation.

“He and I have worked together well for so many years that it’s a symbiotic relationship,” said Hinkle. “We think along the same lines. He and I are of the belief that you give somebody authority to do something and you expect them not to come back and ask permission for every small detail. The chief has given me the authority to make certain decisions and I would like to delegate in the same way.”

Millsap expressed gratitude for the promotion to

See CHIEF, page A3

New Marion Assistant Police Chief Jon Millsap (left) received his promotion from Chief Brannon Hinkle last week. The pair has served Marion for more than 20 years together.

Photo submitted CHIEF

From page A1

assistant Chief and explained the setting at the department.

“I was very excited for Chief Hinkle on his appointment as chief,” said Millsap. “We’ve been here long enough that we both worked under John Griffin; we both worked under Gary Kelley. We respected both of them. Chief Griffin is still missed today. Gary Kelley will be missed everyday. We expected to have him around for guidance. This was supposed to happen in March. We are on our heals learning a lot. I’m grateful for this opportunity. My goal is just to help with whatever there is to help with along the way.”

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