By By MARY-ALLISON LANCASTER – Managing editor
Thirteen applications later, Brewton City Council and its mayor elected a new police chief Tuesday night.
Councilman Henry Uptagrafft opened the nominations with Monte McGougin, 32, as the first nominee. After a slight pause, Ann Marie Sasser seconded the nomination. McGougin received a unanimous vote and will likely take over the department after Police Chief David "Mickey" Lovelace retires, effective Oct. 26. This was McGougin's first time applying for the position.
According to Mayor Ted Jennings, all three candidates were highly qualified, had extensive backgrounds in law enforcement and had earned degrees in criminal justice.
After Lovelace announced his retirement in July, the council and mayor established several criteria for the next police chief. On a "broad scale" the city officials wanted a candidate who displayed leadership and public relations skills, someone who was effective in the department and in the city, someone who could develop a plan for the department, be accountable and education was a "level of importance."
While McGougin was the youngest of the candidates interviewed, he has nearly 11 years of experience in law enforcement and had been promoted to lieutenant within the Escambia County Sheriff's Department.
McGougin is a Brewton native and graduate of Troy State University. He and his wife Melanie are co-owners of Jus Do.