VIDEO: New West Point Police Chief Is Selected

WEST POINT, Miss. (WCBI) – West Point’s new police chief is a veteran officer, who’s ready to make some changes.

Selectmen hired Avery Cook.

“When you go to the department and you’re going to be the head or the leader of the department you want to leave it better than you found it,”new West Point Police Chief Avery Cook.

Cook is, now, the new West Point Police Chief but he says, after serving as the former assistant police chief, the transition should be a breeze.

“I don’t think that it will be a difficult transition. I’m familiar with the everyday operations of the police department. I can go and pick up, probably, where I left off,”said Cook.

Cook’s been in law enforcement for 18 years. He says he’s excited to get the ball rolling once he officially begins.

“We just want to build a relationship with all the law enforcement agencies here in West Point. We have; MBI, the Sheriff’s Department, and the Police Department. All of us on the same team working toward the same goal and that is to protect the citizens of West Point,” said Cook.

Currently, Cook is an investigator with the Clay County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Eddie Scott says after working alongside Cook, he knows he’s the right person for the job.

“We’ve been very fortunate, Chief Cook has actually worked for me for several years and has done a fantastic job, demonstrating excellent leadership. I’m very encouraged to know that he’s going to go over there and he’s got the skills and resources that he’s going to need,” said Scott.

Cook says the first order of business is to focus on the officers.

“One of the main things is getting officers involved, getting them involved in the process. Give them something to do to make them feel needed or wanted. That’s a good morale booster and another thing is money. We will assess the budget and see what we can do as far as salary wise,”said Cook.

Scott says it’s bitter-sweet seeing Cook go but he’ll always be there to lend Cook a helping hand.

“I hate to see him go but he’s just down the street from us. There’s no doubt in my mind that we’re going to be working together on a daily basis bridging any gaps that we may have. He knows I’m here to help him with whatever decision making or whatever I can do to help him, I’m just going to be one phone call away,”said Scott.

Cook says he’s working with the mayor, selectmen and sheriff to determine a starting date.