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Major Bill Barrs named Ocilla police chief as Ashley Jones departs
Summary
The Ocilla City Council appointed Major Bill Barrs as chief of police effective Nov. 19 at 12:01 a.m.; outgoing Chief Ashley Jones submitted his monthly report and was thanked by council members before the appointment vote.
The Ocilla City Council voted on Nov. 17 to appoint Major Bill Barrs as the city’s new chief of police, effective Nov. 19 at 12:01 a.m. Council Member Lisa Cook made the motion to appoint Major Barrs and Council Member Patrice Manley seconded; the motion passed with Council Members Cook, Manley, Lemora Moses, Mayor Pro Tem Chris Paulk and Council Member Clae Wynn voting in favor.
Outgoing Chief Ashley Jones had submitted the department’s monthly report and was thanked multiple times by council members for his service. Council Member Lisa Cook told Chief Jones she "hated seeing him go" and expressed appreciation for his contributions beyond the police department. Mayor Melvin D. Harper II and others thanked Chief Jones and welcomed Chief Barrs to the role.
During the discussion, Council Member Lemora Moses asked Major Bill Barrs whether he would need an assistant chief; Barrs replied yes. Moses concluded the exchange with a brief admonition: to "handle your business." The minutes do not record any personnel contract terms, salary adjustments, or an onboarding timeline beyond the effective date provided in the appointment motion.
The council recorded the appointment and did not schedule additional personnel actions in the minutes; staff follow-up on staffing, assignments and any required administrative steps was not detailed in the meeting record.
