INTERIM DIRECTOR NAMED FOR WASHINGTON CO. E911

  

Washington County has named an interim director for the Emergency 911 (E911) Department.

Commissioner Kirk Hanath told KWHI that the role now belongs to Jerod Hartfield, who currently works in the department as a dispatcher.  The decision was made last Wednesday, and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) was notified on Thursday, as Hartfield will serve as the county’s point of contact for TCOLE.

According to Hanath, Hartfield’s appointment was approved by Sheriff Otto Hanak.  Hanath said Hartfield has visited with the sheriff and has agreed to serve as the interim director.

Hartfield’s designation comes after the resignations last month of former E911 Director Robyn Hood and E911 Operations Manager Shannon Selden. 

County Commissioners called an executive session on October 18^th to discuss personnel claims made in the E911 Department.  Hood and Selden tendered their resignations after the meeting, with Hood writing in a statement that she believed “false allegations” were being presented against them.  The resignations were initially set to take effect November 1^st, but a second commissioners executive session was called on October 25^th, where the court moved to accept the resignations effective immediately. 

Hanath said the county has a policy in place for temporary assignment pay, so commissioners will not need to vote on Hartfield’s appointment.  He also said that Hartfield has expressed he is not interested in the director role full-time, but has been “gracious and willing” to help in this capacity while the county works toward a permanent solution.  He did say that the county may have to appoint a different interim director later on, as there is not a firm timeline and the process may take longer than originally anticipated.