By By Suzanne Monk/The Meridian Star
Oct. 19, 2001
Capt. Keith McCary of the Meridian Police Department has submitted his resume for consideration in the search for a new police chief but he thinks Acting Chief Benny DuBose should get the job.
He said so in his cover letter.
McCary sent his application package to the city administration in mid-August, but to date has not been invited to interview with Mayor John Robert Smith.
Chief Administrative Officer Ken Storms acknowledged receipt of McCary's application by e-mail.
Deciding on a career
On his 18th birthday, McCary went to a meeting for Meridian's auxiliary police officers and signed up. A year later, in 1980, he was a full-time officer. He says he was inspired by Willie Schanrock, a security officer at Highland Park.
McCary's qualifications
McCary started his law enforcement career as a patrol officer. He became a DARE officer in 1987, training drug education officers from all over the state and doing classroom sessions in public schools.
He has also worked in the Criminal Investigation Division and the Violent Crime Unit. As a lieutenant, he supervised CID, and worked with the CrimeStoppers and Neighborhood Watch programs.
In 1997, he was promoted to captain and placed in charge of the Police/Fire Training Academy on Sand Flat Road.
He said he loves his job.
McCary is married to his high school sweetheart, Nancy. The couple has two children, 17-year-old Brian and 13-year-old Heather. The family attends Hebron Baptist Church.
A field of four local candidates
With his announcement Thursday, McCary became the fourth Meridian officer to say that he has applied for the police chief's position.
The other three are Acting Chief Benny DuBose, Capt. Roger Welborn and Lt. John McAlister.
The police department has not had a permanent chief since early July, when former Chief Gregg Lewis announced his retirement. Lewis' last day on the job was July 20, although he had been out of the office on vacation for several weeks by that time.
Whether other candidates are being interviewed is unknown. The mayor has consistently declined any comment on the search process or who is under consideration.
Suzanne Monk is managing editor of The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3229, or e-mail her at smonk@themeridianstar.com.