JACKSONVILLE, Ark. (KTHV) - After a long and troubling year, Jacksonville police have a new chief. We interviewed Chief John Franklin moments after he took the Oath of Office, and tells us what we can expect from JPD.
"I feel very blessed to be here,” Franklin told me Friday.
All eyes are on the former Chicago Police Department Commander after a tumultuous year at JPD, and residents are wondering how he can improve community morale.
"I have made some moves already over the phone, over the last week-and-a-half. I have moved some people back into positions I felt they were performing adequately in the first place,” he answered.
Notably, the Department's PIO April Kiser has been given back the job after being removed by the city attorney and acting Police Chief Robert Bamburg. During the last several weeks, Bamburg took on that role himself.
"I'm not going to be involved in the upcoming elections in November. You're not going to see me involved in that. My focus is totally on this place, on these people, on my people, moving this department forward, doing what we need to do to make life better, and improve the quality of life for everybody in Jacksonville,” Franklin said when I asked if he was going to be able to stand alone without outside influence from city officials.
Everyone that spoke with THV11 about Franklin said they're excited to have him here.
"He's got a lot to offer that I think this department is really hungry for. All of the officers I've talked to, no matter which side of the fence these people have been on in the last year, they've come to me, in fact, this afternoon, I've had many come to me and say, 'I just got to meet with him a few minutes, but I think he's a good hire,” said Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher.
He came under fire for offering Franklin the job without consulting city council. Regardless, Fletcher hasn't shown any doubts in Franklin's abilities.
"Yea, 100 percent. If it could go more than that, I'd add more to it, but at least 100 percent,” Fletcher said about his confidence in Franklin.
"It will be really good to have a fresh start going forward, and just see what the future holds for Jacksonville and the Jacksonville PD,” Jacksonville resident Roger Sundermeier said.
He says he's happy to see one chapter close and another open.
"Everyone rallying behind him, that's what Jacksonville does. We're a very good community of, once things are settled, we do rally together and move forward together. That's what we need more than ever right now,” Sundermeier said.