Covington Chief of Police Michael Ferrell was sworn in last week after approval by the City Council. Chief Ferrell is a 28-year law enforcement veteran, beginning his career at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Chief Ferrell also worked for the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and is a graduate of Leadership St. Tammany. Mayor Mark had this to write in his latest e-blast:
“Mike Ferrell is a twenty-eight year veteran of the Law Enforcement arena, with a history of promotions leading progressively to positions of more responsibility. In 2011, he was chosen to attend the FBI National Academy to represent the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.
He has:
· Extensive training in many areas of Law Enforcement including, but not limited to, Investigations, Narcotics, Tactical, Hostage Rescue, Firearms and SWAT Management.
· Extensive instructor certifications including Police Sniper, Taser, Explosive Handler, Clandestine Lab Site Safety Officer, Glock and Colt M-4 Armorer.
·
An uninterrupted work history in the field of Law Enforcement for twenty-eight years.
· In 2017, he was chosen to represent the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office in the Leadership St. Tammany Class. This is where I came to know Mike Ferrell as a Policeman’s Policeman and as a hardworking and dedicated professional with Leadership qualities.
After working at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office for several years, Chief Ferrell began working at the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, where he worked in the Criminal Patrol Division, Street Crimes/Narcotics, SWAT, served as the District 3 Commander and served as a Deputy Chief in Administration.
Commendations
· Medal of Valor, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, 2004
· Medal of Merit, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, 2000
· Medal of Merit, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, 1999
· Medal of Merit, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, 1996
For the sake of time, I’m not going to list all 26 of his Training Certificates.
Without offering any names, I asked Mandeville Police Chief Gerald Sticker who he would choose as a Chief. His answer was Mike Ferrell.
Assistant DA Head of Criminal Division Colin Sims endorses Mike.
Fire Chief Gary Blocker attended Leadership St. Tammany with Mike and endorses the appointment: “For many years, I have gotten to know Michael Ferrell on both a professional and personal level. He has always demonstrated professionalism, responsibility and dedication to the service. I know he will be an asset to this great leadership team that this city has. He will bring his leadership philosophy and professionalism to the Covington Police Department, making it the best police department it can be.”
One member of the Sheriff’s Department told me, “Mayor, you nailed it. Mike Ferrell is the right person for Covington at this time.”
Sargent Brett Miller of the Covington Police Department wrote, “On behalf of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 43 and as a representative of the men and women of the Covington Police Department, I would like to applaud you on your decision to appoint Michael Ferrell as the new Chief of Police for the City of Covington … The men and women of the Covington Police Department fully stand behind your decision to appoint Ferrell and we all look forward to the accomplishments our agency can conquer under his leadership.”
I spoke to District Attorney Warren Montgomery. He offered and subsequently sent a letter of recommendation. In it, he states that, “Mr. Ferrell served with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office and engaged with my staff in a positive manner. His performance at the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and interaction with my staff ultimately resulted in my hiring Mr. Ferrell as one of my felony investigators. While serving in this capacity, Mr. Ferrell demonstrated his aptitude for the job by balancing a high caseload of several felony divisions of court, each having hundreds of defendants pending trial. The experience that Mr. Ferrell received by being a felony investigator will be an advantage to the City of Covington as Chief of the Police Department.
Mr. Montgomery went on to write: “I hate to lose a good employee, but I look forward to working with Mr. Ferrell.”
It is important, very important, to note that none of these endorsements were solicited.
With all of this in mind, as the Mayor and per the City Charter, I hereby appoint Mike Ferrell as the City of Covington’s new Police Chief and respectfully request that the Council confirm this selection.
Subsequently, Chief Ferrell was unanimously approved by the City Council.
Former Mandeville PD Chief Rick Richard sent me this note:
“Mark – just a quick note to say that you made an excellent choice in Mike Ferrell for your Chief of Police. I observed Mike firsthand during my tenure as Chief in Mandeville and I can attest that he certainly has the leadership qualities you desire and he possesses. Congratulations and I look forward to great things.”
ADA and Chief Investigator Vincent Saltaformaggio wrote, “As Chief Investigator who has worked in law enforcement on a parish, state and international level over the past forty-one years as a LA State Trooper, DEA special agent and now as DA Chief Investigator, Michael Ferrell has my highest recommendation for this position. I have no doubt he will be an outstanding addition to your team.”
Congratulations Chief Ferrell and welcome to Covington!
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