RIVERSIDE — The Town Council interviewed a fifth applicant for the chief of police position during the council meeting Tuesday night.James Adams, who had withdrawn his name from consideration, resubmitted his request to apply for the position.
Adams said he rethought the decision not to apply for the chief of police position.
“This is not just a job for me,” he said. “It is more like taking care of a family. I owe it to the people of this town and the mayor and council to apply. This town means that much to me.”
Adams is currently working for the Riverside Police Department as a patrol officer.
Adams has 15 years of experience of law enforcement with the Riverside Police Department. He also has reserve deputy and dispatcher experience with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department and the Pell City Police Department. He has received certifications in Survival Spanish for Uniformed Patrol, Meth Lab Identification and Response, and more.
Adams lives in Riverside, and has for the past 14 years.
Adams has no grant writing experience, but is willing to learn.
Adams said he feels he can keep the police department moving forward, building on what they have accomplished so far, and keep it improving.
“This is a family town,” he said. “They rely on me to protect them, and I want to continue to do that.”
Adams said as police chief he wants Riverside to have four full-time police officers again.
“I want the same people here every day that know the territory,” he said.
Adams said Riverside currently has two full-time police officers, and several part-time officers fill in the rest of the shifts.
Adams said he also wants the department to receive more officer training, for both the officers and the reserve officers.
“Any kind of training is beneficial,” he said.
Adams said long-term goals include having more than one officer on duty at a time, perhaps in overlapping shifts.
“The more officers out in the community, the less crime you have,” he said. “The more officer visibility you have, the safer the town is.”
