Debbie Ingram , Dothan Eagle
- A veteran police officer said he has twice been denied a chance at the chief’s job in the Dothan Police Department because of race.
Lt. Keith Gray, who has 29 years of law enforcement experience and nearly 25 with the Dothan Police Department, said the city rewrote the qualifications for the chief’s job to exclude him.
One of more than 60 candidates who applied for the position, Gray recently received a letter saying he failed to meet the basic qualifications for the job, which was advertised this fall after former Chief John Powell resigned in August.
Officials have been tight-lipped on the hiring process and have refused numerous requests for a list of candidates. City Manager Mike West said Tuesday he has received at least two “short lists” of possible candidates. He said it could be a dozen names and he hopes to have someone recommended for hire by the end of the year.
