Sanger Sentinel_February 2022

First Staff Meeting With Chief Rhodes Ask any officer, and they will tell you that much anxiety runs through the department when a new Chief takes command. It is only natural. Change, especially that you don’t control, is scary and often uncomfortable. It is fair to say that our Sanger Police Department officers have been experiencing their fair share of concern with the new Chief spending his first whole week on the job. On January 13, Chief Rhodes called his first staff meeting to outline his expectations of all staff and his management style. He was thoughtful enough to invite me to attend.

As the group arrived at the old church, some dressed in uniform because they were either ending or preparing to start their shift. In contrast, others were dressed in their civilian clothing showing their off-duty personalities; you could feel the brotherhood of the team. They laughed and teased each other, much like brothers and sisters would do. Finally, Chief Rhodes and Assistant Chief Perkins arrived. The team quietly walked into the church. Several stopped to shake Chief’s hand as they took their seats. A hush fell over the room as Chief began to speak.

I have to say that Chief Rhodes knows how to read and command a room. I am sure that his experience over the last 35+ years has taught him this skill. He began the meeting by outlining his expectations of the team. “Our image sets the standard for how the residents of Sanger will feel about us as a department and as a city. Integrity, transparency, and customer service will always be at the forefront of everything we do”.

When it comes to the department image, many of the officers had concerns about how things could change particularly about type of utility vest/belt they would use. Knowing that these items were a top concern for the team, the Chief addressed these items first.