By By ROBBIE BYRD
News Editor
Last Wednesday in a special meeting the Atmore City Council voted 4-1 to appoint Bruce Lovette Acting Police Chief and Glenn Carlee, current Drug Task Force Coordinator, Safety Director.
Carlee will oversee both the task force and the Police Department in his new role.
The decision to appoint Carlee as Safety Director came after the council, who had originally appointed him as the Acting Police Chief, determined his current responsibilities with the task force as too demanding to allow him to add the responsibilities as acting police chief.
Lovette, who has served in both Bay Minette and Creola as police chief, was hired last Monday as an investigator by the APD and was quickly a candidate for the position.
"I'm glad to be here in Atmore," Lovette said. "There's a real good nucleus of officers here to work with and we have a really good foundation to work on."
Lovette started out in Law Enforcement in 1975, working with the Florida Parole and Probation office. Four and a half years later, Lovette oversaw the Alabama Department of Youth Services, supervising both Choctaw and Washington counties. He later spent 10 years with the Citrus County, Fla. Sheriff's office and began and supervised the first narcotics division there. He was later promoted to supervisor of general investigations and large crimes.
Lovette returned to Alabama in 1991 to become Police Chief in Bay Minette. He was chief there for 9 years, but decided to step away from Law Enforcement and left to work for Standard Furniture Company in Bay Minette as Director of Security and Safety.
Now, after a two year break, he says he's ready for Law Enforcement again.
"I missed (Law Enforcement)," Lovette said in an interview Tuesday. "I look forward to getting to know and getting the serve the people in this community."
Lovette has a Masters degree in Criminal Justice he received from Troy State at the age of 50.
Lovette outlined goals he plans to work towards in his new position: improving race relations in the community, improving the relationship between law enforcement and young people and to maintain the community's confidence in their local law enforcement.
"These are not things that are bad," Lovette said, "but things I want to improve on."
Lovette said he was thankful for the support the city council and the mayor have shown him.
"I appreciate the confidence the mayor and council have in me to do my job," Lovette said. "I appreciate the opportunity to serve this community, as well."
Lovette and his wife, Susan who is originally from Atmore, have 4 daughters and 6 grandchildren, with another on the way. Lovette and his wife married in 1968.