Hutchins, Pledger, Story, get new stripes, badges
Rome Police Chief Denise Downer-McKinney said her department seeks to hire only the best of the best.
“You can’t have the best officers unless you have the best supervisors,” she said during a promotions ceremony at the Joint Law Enforcement Center Monday afternoon.
Chief Downer-McKinney administered new oaths of office to Danny Story who was promoted to Lieutenant and Officers Ryan Hutchins and Brandon Pledger who received the rank of Sergeant.
Assistant Chief Debbie Burnett reminded the new officers that they are now in a position to serve their fellow officers. “They don’t work for you. You work for them,” Burnett said.
Story joined the Rome Police in August, 1994. He made Sergeant in 2015 and is currently the assistant commander of the Selective Enforcement Unit. He is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
“It’s a big step and it’s one I don’t take lightly,” Story said. “I take it very seriously and I look forward to the challenges I might come across.”
“Each time this happens I’m excited to see people who are faster, smarter, brighter and more innovative than we were,” said Major Paul Webber.
Hutchins joined the Rome Police in August, 2004.
He served on the SWAT team for seven years and has been an Officer of the Year and has received a Life Saving Award. Hutchins said all of the negative
news related to officers from St. Louis, Missouri to Charleston, South Carolina, have has not changed the way he goes about his job.
“I operate with a moral compass that is pointing north,” he said.
“Your job is to find your replacements,” said Major Rodney Bailey.
Pledger has been a Rome Police officer since December, 2014. Like Hutchins, he has been selected as an Officer of the Year and is a recipient of a Life Saving Award. He said the promotion presents a new challenge that he is looking forward to.
“You’re having to be a mentor and a leader as opposed to just going out and meeting your mission,” Pledger said.