Mark Collins Named Smithville Police Chief

The City of Smithville has a new Police Chief.
During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting the Board of Aldermen voted 5-0 to hire Mark Collins as chief. He will assume the duties within the next two weeks. Collins has served as the Alexandria Police Chief since 2006.
“I look forward to serving the people of Smithville and working with the Smithville Police Department. I think there is a fine group of young officers here and I am honored and blessed to have this opportunity. I look forward to getting in here and doing the citizens of Smithville some good,” said Collins after the meeting.
Collins was one of three applicants for the job. Patrolman Matt Farmer of the Smithville Police Department had also applied along with Algood Police Chief Gary Harris.
The mayor and aldermen held a 90 minute forum Saturday at city hall to interview each applicant. Collins, Harris, and Farmer were brought in separately and given about 30 minutes each to answer questions.
Collins, a resident of McMinnville Highway, Smithville, worked for the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department from 1995 through 2006, where over the years he served as deputy, sergeant, lieutenant, and then captain. Collins was a Sergeant in the United States Air Force from 1988-90. He graduated from Gordonsville High School in 1983 and attended David Lipscomb University in Nashville from 1983-85.
Collins said while he is looking forward to this career move, he will miss the people of Alexandria. “The residents of Alexandria have been a blessing to me. I have enjoyed working there. They have been good to me and hopefully I have been good for them. I have made friends there I will cherish for the rest of my life. I will hate to leave Alexandria but this is a lot closer to home. It’s a bigger challenge and I think it was the thing for me to do,” said Collins.
In other business, the aldermen authorized Fire Chief Charlie Parker to apply for a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase up to $50,000 in equipment for the fire department. If approved, the city would have to pay a five percent match or up to $2,500. Funds are allocated in the fire department budget to cover the costs.
Chief Parker also announced that Robin Summers and Kim Johnson have begun their 90 day probationary period in becoming members of the volunteer fire department.
The aldermen voted to hire Tyler Patterson as a patrol officer in the police department.
The aldermen voted to accept a bid from King’s Firearms and More Law Enforcement Division in Columbia to purchase thirteen fully stocked semi-automatic Smith & Wesson assault rifles for the police department. The total cost is $18,223. This was the only bid received.