LANETT- On Monday, the Lanett Council approved the naming of a new Police Chief and it’s one of their own. In a close 3-2 vote, the council approved the hiring of Denise McCain, who currently serves as an investigator and comes with an impeccable resume. Prior to joining the Lanett Police Department, McCain served with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) before retiring in 2020.
Mayor Jamie Heard, Councilmembers Angelia Thomas, and Tifton Dobbs voted yes for the hiring of McCain while Councilmembers Tony Malone and Ronnie Tucker voted no.
“I vote no due to the process on the way she was hired”, said Malone.
“I don’t know her and I don’t feel comfortable voting for someone I don’t know and don’t know anything about her. It’s nothing personal”, said Tucker.
The new Lanett Police Chief has been with the Lanett Police Department for the last two years and has made quite an impression throughout the community. She has worked with countless officers of the law throughout her illustrious career which includes Chambers County, Sheriff Jeff Nelson.
McCain and her husband Eric along with their 17-year-old daughter, Ava live in Valley. Eric Mccain is a U.S. Marshal, so I guess you could say that Law Enforcement is a family thing. In her spare time, the Lanett Police Chief volunteers at the Fuller Center as well as coaching the Lanett Soccer team.
There is another component of McCain that will be an asset to the department. She’s fluent in both English and Spanish which is beneficial for the influx of Spanish families who have moved into the city over the past few years.
Denise McCain is an ultimate professional who has the experience and leadership character to continue the Lanett Police Department’s model of consistency.
