One thing about small communities is they tend to always share something or someone.
Coming from one small community to another is the City of Hollandale’s newly appointed police chief, Brandon Addison, who previously served as chief of police for the Town of Metcalfe.
The Leland native has spent the past 15 years in law enforcement, beginning his career at an early age and seizing opportunities to work in “several towns” within Washington County.
Although he couldn’t point to the exact moment law enforcement piqued his interest, he recalled a compelling instance that stirred up a desire in him to seek justice for others.
“I remember watching a movie on TV one day where the victim was sexually assaulted so violently, it drove her to suffering a mental illness and she had to be admitted into a mental institution. The detectives on call never seemed to be able to bring the assailant to justice and I was highly upset,” Addison recollected. “To me it seems they didn’t do enough to bring justice to the rape victim. It was that day I felt like law enforcement needed me and I needed law enforcement because I wasn’t going to rest until justice had been redeemed.”
Addison’s goals for the department aren’t very lofty ones, but they are tangible and buildable.
With the addition of three new officers to the department, Addison aims to cultivate a strong relationship with them and others and move up from there.
“Chances are if you want to effectuate change, that needs to happen or if your agency is already running smoothly, then the people at the bottom are most likely the ones responsible for that,” he said.
And while he knows transitioning is not always the easiest thing to do, it’s inevitable at times and so, it must be done.
“I believe if I want to mature and become successful, I must learn how to adjust to all internal and external changes within my acknowledgement,” Addison said on transitioning into his new role. “It has been challenging, but not impossible.”
Addison is also currently a member of the Delta Health Alliance, Mayor’s Health Council and the Mississippi Association of Chiefs.
The City has had several woes to overcome with regard to adequate employment of police officers in the past months, but Mayor Peresa Causey is glad to see that changing.
“After carefully checking Chief Addison’s references, we were pleased with the results and his interview. He has brought a team with him and they are proving to be a unit,” said Causey. “They have been a valuable asset for Hollandale. I’ve been receiving calls complimenting their performance and I’m pleased thus far.”
Addison said he is looking forward to creating a blueprint so easy to perceive and embrace that any person coming behind him will be able to learn, adjust and execute the plans.
