Selma's new interim police chief says he was 'called to duty by God' to serve

Selma’s interim police chief told the Selma City Council April 15 that he was “called to duty by God.” 

Michael R. Perry was named interim chief April 10 after the city council placed Selma Police Chief Kenta Fulford on administrative leave. He was introduced to the council at the Tuesday meeting by Selma Mayor Johnny Moss III.

Perry was born and raised in Selma and retired from the Selma Police Department with the rank of captain over the uniform patrol division. After he retired, Perry served 14 years as chief of security for Superior Security & Consultant Services, according to a statement from the mayor's office.

“I promise you that I will do everything in my power to take this police department to a better place where it needs to be,” Perry told the council. “I take no challenge that I fail.”

While captain of the Selma Police Department’s patrol division, Perry was responsible for overseeing day-to-day patrol operations and supervising personnel, coordinating field responses and ensuring effective and efficient deployment of departmental resources, according to the statement. Perry also provided command-level leadership during critical incidents and operational planning. 

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In addition to his command responsibilities, Perry served as the law enforcement coordinator for the Weed & Seed Program, which focused on crime reduction, prevention and neighborhood revitalization through partnerships between law enforcement and the community. 

Perry also operated in a leadership capacity in the administrations of Chiefs E. L. Tate and Robert Green.

At Superior Security & Consultant Services, Perry led all security operations, including personnel management and strategic planning.

Throughout his career, Perry has attended numerous law enforcement leadership conferences and has received various accolades, according to the statement.