Council to interview police chief finalists on May 20

MADISON –Madison City Council will interview finalists for Police Chief of Madison Police Department on May 20.

Interviews will be open to the public in City Hall Council Chambers, 100 Hughes Road. To avoid distraction, Council Chamber doors will close after an interview starts. The public cannot ask questions.

The day will start at 7:30 a.m. with a team meeting and breakfast. Council will interview Larry Lindsey at 8 a.m., followed by Keith McPheeters, 9 a.m.; David Jernigan, 10 a.m.; Robert Buckman, 11 a.m.; and Thomas Johnson, noon.

A wrap-up session and lunch are scheduled for 1 p.m. All candidates will tour the police station.

Larry Lindsey, Captain in Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in Memphis, Tenn. since 2014, manages 600 certified officers. Since 1991, Lindsey has served as Deputy Sheriff/Patrol, Sergeant, Traffic Bureau Assistant Commander, Lieutenant and Governor’s Highway Safety Office Network Coordinator.

Lindsey earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and human resources and a master’s degree in operations management. He completed FBI Command and Executive Leadership institutes.

Keith McPheeters retired as Deputy Police Chief in Farmington, N.M. He had been promoted to Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. He directs community policing/outreach and assisted with policy development, body/in-car cameras and strategic management.

McPheeters holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and completed FBI National Academy and Leadership Institute.

Robert Buckman serves as Chief Deputy, Operations Bureau Commander for Loudoun County Sherriff’s Office in Leesburg, Va. with 450 people. He manages a $54-million Operations Bureau budget and agency budget of $87 million.

Buckman has served from Sheriff Deputy to Major. In Criminal Investigations, he led as Major Crimes and Vice/Narcotics. Buckman participated in the Washington, D.C. Council of Governments Police. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and completed FBI National Academy.

David Jernigan, Chief Deputy for Madison County Sheriff’s Department, supervises 224 personnel with 123 certified officers. He manages Uniform Patrol, Records/Communications and Investigations. Previously, he worked 29 years with FBI.

Jernigan assisted with introducing body cameras and revamping citizen complaints. He earned a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and master’s degree in justice and public safety, along with extensive FBI training.

Thomas Johnson is Captain for Upper Darby Police Department in Pennsylvania with $27.6 million, 23 civilian employees and 134 sworn officers. Hired as Patrol Officer, he advanced to Criminal Investigator, Sergeant, Detective Division and Lieutenant, plus hostage/crisis negotiations and lecturing.

Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in public safety administration, is pursuing a master’s degree in public safety leadership and completed FBI Inter-County Detective School and National Fire Academy.