It's Turner

CAPT. RICK TURNER ...Will become Gaffney police chief Dec. 25 Since his hiring as a full-time patrolman in 1986, Richard (Rick) Turner has held many jobs in the Gaffney Police Department, including shift sergeant, lieutenant, training officer and captain.

On Wednesday, Gaffney City Council added one more title to his expansive resume: police chief.

Turner, 44, succeeds the retiring John O'Donald. Turner's appointment is effective on Christmas Day.

"I'm very happy and am looking forward to continuing serving the city as I have for the last 22 years," said Turner before walking over to Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly and council members to offer them his thanks.

Turner was among three finalists interviewed by Gaffney City Council in a special called meeting Wednesday. After council returned from executive session, councilman Dennis Ramsey made the motion to hire Turner. The motion passed unanimously.

Anderson County Sheriff's Department Lt.. Billy Looper and 7th Circuit Solicitor's Office investigator Rick Burgess were the other finalists.

Several members of the Gaffney police force entered council chambers to offer their congratulations to the congenial Turner, who said it has been his goal to become chief for a long time.

"Everybody sets goals and one of the first things I said (when I was hired) is that one day I'd like to be chief," he said.

Turner has held top jobs under several city police chiefs. After starting his law enforcement career as a reserve under former chief Jimmy Scates, he has been a patrolman, shift sergeant and shift lieutenant and training officer before being promoted to captain of uniform patrol by O'Donald.

"I've held every position in the police force," Turner said.

Turner will be paid about $50,000 a year to run Gaffney's department of more than 40 employees.

Councilman Tom Reid, a member of council's police committee, said Turner was the popular choice.

"The people of the City of Gaffney got the person they wanted," Reid said.

Jolly said he expects Turner to bring a high level of professionalism to the job.

Turner, who grew up in Gaffney, said he is eager to put as much emphasis on solving the smaller crimes as the headline-grabbing ones.

"We have some very good officers," Turner said. "There are no major unsolved crimes in Gaffney. I want to maintain that and try to solve all the smaller crimes as well."

A believer in community policy, Turner said he would like the crime watch program started in the historic district to expand to other neighborhoods.

Turner acknowledged he'll likely be constrained by a tight budget next year.

"I'll have to work with the finance department and administrator to see if we might have to delete some items in the next budget year," he said. "But I will do everything in my power to ensure we don't lose any services."

He was noncommittal on possible reassignments within the department, but vowed to do what's in the best interest of the department.

Turner said he intends to be a visible presence in the community even if it means more trips to the dry cleaners for his blue chief's uniform.

"I want to let people know the chief is out there," said Turner, who is married to Kim Turner. They have a daughter, Alexis.

Burgess made news after the meeting concluded when he announced his intentions to run again for sheriff in 2010. Burgess narrowly lost to Sheriff Bill Blanton in 2006.