Investigator Brian Martin has been hired as Chief of Police, Edna City Manager Broz said, and started today to do administrative work until his TCOLE requirements to become chief are completed.
Martin has 20 years of experience, having served through the years as a jailer, patrol officer, and investigator, with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office.
The City of Edna will be looking for more police officers after several members of the Edna Police Department resigned abruptly Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
The city already was searching for a new police chief after the city and former Chief Kenny Pyle parted ways under a separation agreement last month.
At that time, Broz declined, under terms of the separation agreement, to comment on what led the two parties to part ways.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office will be helping to cover the city while the police department is understaffed, Broz said. The police station is open for calls and the sheriff’s office is being dispatched and patrolling the city. Residents can still call dispatch at 361-782-3541for non-emergency calls, and 9-1-1 for emergencies.