ONLY ONLINE: Davis speaks out about duties as new 911 Director, Whitley Police Dept. Chief

Whitley County will soon have a new 911 director, and he was a founding member of the Whitley County 911 Board.
The 911 Board announced Friday afternoon that Chuck Davis has been hired as the newly appointed Chief of Whitley County Police Department and Director of Whitley County E-911. He will begin his duties on June 28.

"Chuck will bring years of administrative experience in numerous different capacities to this position. His skills will provide leadership and structure to our dispatch center and enhance professionalism among employees," according to a statement from the Whitley County 911 Board.

Davis is currently a detective for the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, and has 30 years of experience as a law enforcement officer, including 10 years as Williamsburg Police Chief.

Davis was interviewed for the job and accepted the position Thursday.

"My goal is to provide leadership and to set some goals for the employees out there," he said. "It pretty much runs itself. If there is a glitch, you have to fix it."

In terms of the Whitley County Police Chief part of the position, Davis said that it will be a one-man department, and that 911 dispatchers won’t be officers.

While he might branch out into investigations in the future though, Davis said that his primary concern will be the 911 dispatch center, particularly in the immediate future.

Davis said that having the dual title of police chief and 911 director enables the county to place the 911 center under the authority of law enforcement control, which offers some benefits.

There will still be a 911 board, which will be expanded to include Whitley County Emergency Management Director Danny Moses and Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley among others.

The 911 board will also become a governing board over the center rather than an advisory board.

As director, Davis will manage the day-to-day operations of the center, and will report to the board, which will meet once a month.

"It will be a check and balance type thing," he noted.

Davis said he feels qualified for the position with his law enforcement background and that he can do a good job in the position.

He will undergo a five-week training program in order to get certified as a 911 dispatcher. He said that much of the training will simply be a refresher course on things he is already familiar with.

When the 911 board was created in 1994, Davis was a founding member of it. He obtained a certification as a 911 dispatcher at that time in order to better understand the workings of the system.

He maintained that certification until about two years ago when he let it drop.

Davis said that he has known three or four of the 911 dispatchers since they were infants and feels that overall he has a good group of employees.

Davis replaces Angela Matney, who was fired from the position of E-911 Director on April 19 following an investigation by Whitey County Judge-Executive pat White Jr. into alleged violations of the county personnel policy.

The next day shift supervisor Teresa Warren was also terminated.