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On Friday, long-time Police Chief Mike Curtis retired. His last official act before retirement was attending the swearing in ceremony of Police Chief Christian Dempsey and Deputy Chief Brandon Lanning.
Chief Curtis spoke briefly at the start of the ceremony, noting the department’s commitment to “integrity, professionalism, and the community.” Curtis then asked Pastor Steve Nehlsen of the Fulton Alliance Church to conduct an invocation for the ceremony, a departure from previous swearing-in ceremonies.
The Hon. Judge Nicholson then administered the oaths of office for the two men.
Dempsey was Deputy Chief prior to Friday’s ceremony and brings numerous years of experience to his new role as Chief. In his remarks after being swearing in, Dempsey thanked the members of the fire and police commission who voted to appoint him as chief, and then went on to thank the patrol officers in the Fulton PD.
“They’re the ones holding the line and keeping [the department] afloat,” Dempsey said, calling attention to how short-staffed the agency has been for several years. One of the chief’s new goals is to get the department back to full staffing, a project he expects to take one to two years. Many of the current officers, he noted, are still inexperienced but are trying their best to serve the community.
Dempsey was pinned by his wife Jennifer Dempsey.
Lanning was a lieutenant prior to being sworn in as Deputy Chief. According to a statement issued by the FPD, Lanning “has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, operational skill, and unwavering commitment as a Lieutenant in this department.”
Lanning was pinned by his wife Lauren Lanning.
“The faith community stands with you,” Nehlsen said in a closing benediction. “We keep all of our officials in our prayers.”
After the ceremony, attendees gathered in the Community Room downstairs from the City Court for lunch and a celebration of both the former Chief of Police and the new appointees.
