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Farmville’s Police Chief  Mooney to Retire

   Written by on December 23, 2014 at 2:16 pm

The Town Council of Farmville convened its final meeting of calendar year 2014 on Wednesday evening, December 17th. Jan Cox, of Longwood University took the podium first. She reminded council that students would be leaving for the holiday break starting on December 13th, and would begin to return on January 7th. Sorority week will begin on the following day. She also extended warm thanks to Farmville Police Chief Mooney on behalf of Longwood University for the work he has done developing and maintaining the excellent relationship that exists between Farmville law enforcement and the school. Mayor Whitus responded to Ms. Cox, thanking her for her diligence in keeping the town informed of the various events at the University.

Nate Saunders, PHD and assistant professor of Exercise Science at Longwood University, addressed the Council next. His informative presentation illustrated his vision for upcoming work at Longwood, and with enough interest and support, the surrounding community as well. Professor Saunders outlined his research which included his desire to create ways to initiate a healthier, more active lifestyle at the University and throughout the community, thereby eliminating, or at least limiting, the scientifically proven ill effects on health and diminished longevity that a sedentary lifestyle causes. Two of the programs he believes would promote activity and exercise within the community are the creation of a Boys and Girls Club and a movement he coined “Piedmont Out Walking,” or POW. A third, very important goal of his work was to “create normative data for African American older adult fitness.” According to Saunders, such data is paramount to more effective research, but it is currently nonexistent. The Professor made it clear that he was not asking for funding from the Council. To the contrary, his request was for the Council’s recognition and the community’s support of his research, which would cause his scientific work to be eligible for research grant funding, provided the scope of the research satisfied specific criteria.

Council passed a motion made by Mr. Pairet for the Town to purchase a parcel of land adjacent to town-owned land located next to the DMV. The actual purchase would be made by trading two sewer and water taps to the landowner in exchange for the parcel. The purpose of the purchase is as a potential site for the much discussed municipal dog park for town residents. Further negotiations with the dog park association are pending.

The upcoming retirement of Farmville Chief of Police Mooney continues to be a major point of focus for the Town Council. Vice Mayor and head of the personnel committee, A.D. “Chuckie” Reid moved that an acting chief be appointed in the interim until a new chief was hired. It was decided that Captain Andy Ellington, currently head of the Office of Professional Standards, would fill the position. The numerous new applications for the position have been narrowed considerably, and reviews of the ten applicants under consideration are scheduled to begin on January 7, 2015.

Retiring Farmville Police Chief Mooney addressed Council Wednesday evening, giving his final State of the Department report. This year, the annual report listed the numerous achievements and advancements the Farmville Police Department has made during the last five years under his leadership. The lengthy, impressive list included: the Department achieving accreditation in March of 2013, the creation and use of a Departmental Policy and Procedural Manual, and the implementation of an organizational chart. Another major achievement was the formation of an Office of Professional Standards. Captain Andy Ellington currently heads the office. Chief Mooney also spoke of the Department’s dedicated work aimed at improving relationships, not just with with the citizens of Farmville, but with Longwood University Police, University government and student population as well. These relationships are today manifested by the creation and success of organizations and events such as Neighborhood Watch, the Citizen Police Academy, and the hugely successful National Night Out. Other efforts by the Department include Blue Christmas, the Ride Along Program, and the Heartland Heroes Blood Drive. There are more programs, still, that the Farmville Police Department has instituted under the command of Chief Mooney. He thanked the Town Council for “allowing me to do my job.” He alluded that this freedom and trust was a major contributing factor in the success of the Department over the last five years. The Department today enjoys a newer and continuously revolving vehicle fleet, newer, more modern equipment, including new weapons and body-worn cameras, a piece of equipment insightfully put into service years ahead of the recent controversial  outcry for them on the national front in the wake of the events that have been in the news.

In conclusion, Chief Mooney thanked the Council for the great experience as head of the Police Department. “It has been a very fulfilling career.”

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