This is one of the articles I’ve written as an employee at the Stewart Webster Journal Patriot-Citizen. It was published on Aug. 19, 2010, on the front page and continued on page nine.

Effective August 6, 2010, Richland’s long-term police chief, James (Jim) Edge, hung up his hat for retirement after serving more than 40 years in the law enforcement community throughout South Georgia.

Chief Edge, known simply as “Jim,” says that he is looking forward to fishing and pursuing other life interests while remaining a citizen of the city he so diligently served over the past years.

The Richland City Council appointed Christopher (Chris) Prokesh to take over the reins as Richland’s new police chief.

Chief Prokesh said, “I would like to personally thank Jim for his services and wish him fair winds and clear skies as he begins his retirement and what will hopefully be a prosperous and rewarding new chapter of his life.”

As a native of Leesburg, Ga., Prokesh is fairly new to the city of Richland but has been a resident of Southwest Georgia his entire life. He looks forward to seeing the area continue to grow and prosper as his family’s chosen home throughout the Albany, Leesburg and Columbus areas.

As a criminal justice major following high school, Prokesh began his law enforcement career at age 19 with the Albany Police Department under indentured service while attending college. Upon completing his contract, Prokesh moved back home to Leesburg, where he has since been employed by the Leesburg Police Department.

During his 18-year career, Prokesh advanced to the positions of watch commander, chief investigator, training coordinator and commander over a multi-operational SWAT team. He believes the highlight of his career was the transition that he made in 2005 when he successfully completed his certifications in law enforcement education and began teaching as an instructor/trainer with the Georgia Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Council.

Currently, Prokesh instructs other officers in areas of law enforcement including Statutory and Constitutional Law, as well as a multitude of advanced certifications including firearms, speed detection devices, less-lethal munitions, high-risk warrant service, thermal imaging, I.A.R.D., defensive tactics, and Special Weapons and Tactics (basic SWAT).

Since this transition in March 2005, he has maintained the rank of captain with his home employing agency while teaching elsewhere for numerous Georgia law enforcement agencies, including specialized certifications courses at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga., and the Georgia Police Academy in Forsyth, Ga. He has amassed more than 2000 credit hours of his own continued, advanced and specialized training through Georgia and the Multi-Agency Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Training Center in St. Petersburg, Fla.

When referring to his goals as Richland’s police chief, Prokesh said, “In past years, the Richland Police Department has seemingly suffered from a multitude of negative public and political perspectives. This includes a sense that the department as a whole is seemingly suffering a lack of respect among both the public and our professional peers collectively.

“Goal No. 1 is to change that. My belief is that respect is something that cannot be purchased or taken; it must be earned. Earning this will not be a quick or easy road and will constitute a complete revitalizing of the department’s role in the community.

“As of this writing, the Richland Police Department is undergoing a transitional phase that is somewhat sought with growing pains as we are stretching to fill shifts while taking the utmost care to meticulously recruit and restaff our ranks with only highly qualified, seasoned officers who are of a caliber and character fitting our new mission statement, while at the same time being both slightly criminal savvy and team-oriented in achieving goals.

“During this transition, I have brought several handpicked officers with me who will be filling capacities as my administrative staff. Many of you may have seen the new faces of, or even had the opportunity to meet, the new officers that have been patrolling the streets over the past few days. We have devised a six-month plan of action in which we intend to adopt community-oriented tactics and strategies to increase the department’s effectiveness while at the same time promoting a positive and interactive role with our citizens. These proven measures, along with the adoption of an accredited Standards of Operating Procedure and new departmental policy, will facilitate the creation of a conditioned, respectable and community-oriented police force that will take every opportunity to work collectively with all surrounding law enforcement authorities to provide a more resourceful, self-sufficient, and proactive department to our community.

“In the coming weeks, I, accompanied by my administrative staff, will be making rounds to greet and meet local residents, business owners and city/county officials. When you see us out, day or night, I invite you to take the opportunity to meet my staff and I and feel free to discuss any problems, concerns or issues that you may have within our police jurisdiction. Watch out, Richland…change is coming!”