by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Following months of deliberation and interviews, Jacksonville Airport Authority officials have named a new police chief.
Captain Sedrick Rivers, who has served in an interim capacity since last October, received an offer to stay on permanently earlier this week and has accepted. He’s expected to start immediately.
JAA Chief Operating Officer Chip Snowden, who conducted Rivers’ final interview with Executive Director John Clark, said he was “really excited” to make the announcement.
“We had a lot of outside candidates who were up for the job — really good candidates who made me think long and hard — but it really came down to me seeing what we already had in Sedrick,” said Snowden. “He hasn’t had the easiest life and yet he has proven to be, not only the rock of his large family, but also a rock to me and this entire organization. He’s been with us for hurricanes, bomb threats and Sept. 11 and he’s always delivered. He’s a success story.”
Public Information Officer Michelle Branham agreed, saying the new police chief is, “just about the best guy in the world.”
Rivers, who grew up in St. Augustine, has been with the JAA since 1998. During his tenure he has served in every capacity within the police force, including both the K-9 and the bomb squad divisions. As chief, he’ll oversee 32 officers.
“I feel great,” he said. “It’s going to be exciting and challenging.”
Rivers said except for a few minor departmental revisions, he intends to make very few changes to the JAA police force.
“Not right now,” he said. “I’ll meet with [Snowden] and we’ll deliberate and I’ll let him know what direction we should go.”