Selma's interim police chief to partner with state, federal agencies to address crime

Selma Interim Police Chief Michael Perry said the police department is willing to work with local, state and federal agencies to address crime in the city.

Perry, who was named interim chief five weeks ago after former Chief Kenta Fulford was placed on administrative leave and later resigned, has participated in two collaborative meetings in the last week focused on crime reduction and law enforcement coordination.

Last week, Perry joined Selma Mayor Johnny Moss III and Selma City Council President Kennard Randolph in a meeting with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, State Troopers and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to discuss joint enforcement efforts and police training. 

On Tuesday, Perry attended the monthly Weed and Seed Committee meeting at the renovated federal courthouse in Selma, where he told the group of residents, business owners and a council member his plans to increase cooperation with outside agencies and improve operations within the Selma Police Department.

Perry said the department has already accepted assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. During his first week as interim chief, U.S. Marshals responded to a shooting at GWC Homes involving two brothers.

“The U.S. Marshals came on the scene and asked to assist and they were ready, so I let them initiate the primary contact,” Perry said. “We are sending a message that we have resources and we will use them.”

Mayor Moss said the city plans to continue using federal and state law enforcement partnerships as part of its crime reduction efforts.

Perry said rebuilding public trust in the police department will require stronger community policing efforts and more consistent law enforcement activity.

“Crime is out of control,” Perry said. “The community has a right to be fearful.”

Perry said residents will see more patrol activity, traffic stops and enforcement efforts, including increased patrols from State Troopers on state highways in Selma.

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“We have to fix the heart, which is the police department, first,” Perry said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Arrington said trust between law enforcement and residents has deteriorated and must be rebuilt.

“We need to build bridges to build the trust back,” Arrington said.

Perry said some of the city’s crime issues extend beyond local control, but he believes the department can improve by increasing officer accountability and training. He said partner agencies have already offered assistance, including State Troopers Capt. Donald Shepard, who offered to provide training on traffic stops.

Arrington said the judicial system also plays a role in reducing crime and said repeat offenders should remain in jail rather than quickly returning to the streets on bond. The federal courthouse has reopened after renovations and trials can now be held in the second floor courtroom, which will speed up trials for those with federal charges, Arrington said.

The Weed and Seed Committee also discussed blight removal efforts underway in Selma. Since Moss took office in November, the city has demolished several abandoned buildings.

Perry said he previously worked with Weed and Seed programs when they received federal funding and operated youth outreach initiatives designed to steer young people away from crime.

Arrington said many crimes in Selma involve juveniles and said the Weed and Seed program should strengthen partnerships with local schools and education leaders to address violence before young people enter the criminal justice system.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office plans to hold another Civil Discourse and Difficult Decisions session in June. The national program brings high school students into federal courthouses for discussions focused on conflict resolution and decision-making. Arrington said this year’s program will focus on students who could benefit most from the intervention instead of the top students at the schools.