Miniard resigns as City Police Chief

By MELODIE PHELPS

News Editor

Monticello Police Chief Ralph Miniard has resigned from that position, effective December 31. He tendered his written resignation to Monticello Mayor Kenneth Catron in the final days of Catron’s administration. Miniard also notified incoming Mayor Thurston Frye of his resignation.

"It is with great difficulty and sorrow that I accept your resignation as Chief of Police on December 31, 2002," Catron wrote in a letter to Miniard last week. "You have done an outstanding job as Chief of Police, going above and beyond the call of duty. You have demonstrated and brought much pride, professionalism and honor to the City of Monticello and the Monticello Police Department for 25 years. You have established yourself in the eyes of the citizens of our city as well as police departments throughout the State of Kentucky as an outstanding Chief of Police."

"Monticello is a much better and safer place because of your effort as Chief of Police," Catron wrote. "The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office will truly gain from your professionalism, experience, and expertise as an officer in their department."

Miniard will become a Deputy Sheriff with an investigative emphasis with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department this week.

"I’m going on and I wish everybody the best," said Miniard. "I expect I will enjoy working for the Sheriff’s Department very much."

Frye expressed regret at the loss of Miniard from the department. He noted that he had offered Miniard a "lateral move" to the position of detective with the department. Frye said that the offer included keeping Miniard on the Police Department at the same pay rate.

"I wanted to utilize his talents in the investigation of drugs and thefts and so forth," stated Frye. "He is an outstanding police officer with many talents, and I felt his talents could be best used as a detective."

Frye said that he wanted to make changes that would provide more direct supervision of officers in the Monticello Police Department, citing problems with "laxity and morale" among the officers.

Frye said he received the letter from Miniard, announcing his resignation last week. "I sure would have liked to have kept him," said Frye.

With the number of rumors that have been circulating about the change at the police department, Frye stressed that this was his decision. "It was my decision to do that, and nobody else had any input in it," he said.

Frye said that former Monticello Police Department detective Melvin Rose will become the new Police Chief effective January 1. Rose previously retired from the Monticello Police Department.

That would keep the total number of officers on the force at nine, according to Frye. He indicated that he plans to increase that to 10 sometime after January 1.

Frye also announced that he has hired Danny Baker as the new Street Superintendent. Baker will replace Ray Upchurch, who will take office as Wayne County’s new jailer on January 1.

© The Wayne County Outlook

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