Don't let the door hit Minter on the way out ....
Savannah Police Chief Roy Minter is failing up, and for once that's a good thing - at least for the Savannah community.
Minter has been nominated to lead the Georgia division of the U.S. Marshals Service. Picking him for the post makes me wonder about the background check process for the job, especially given Minter's well-known leadership shortcomings. Knowing what we know about the SPD culture under Minter, I wouldn't want him managing a fast food restaurant drive-thru.
But if a new job, even a better job, gets him out of Savannah and gives our police department a chance for a reboot, then I'll champion Minter. The city government leadership has made no attempt to hold him accountable or show him the door, so if he wants to walk away from us voluntarily, I'll hold that door open. I'll even recruit some friends to sprinkle rose petals in his path.
Assuming Minter does exit, the police chief opening will be City Manager Jay Melder's first big hire. If Melder has proven anything in his first several months here, it is that he is reasoned and decisive. He gets stuff done.
Replacing Minter will be a good test of Melder, especially as several outspoken Savannah City Council members will try to insert themselves into the process.
We'll look forward to that almost as much as we will Minter's departure.
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— Written by Opinion Columnist Adam Van Brimmer. Read more posts like this in the Savannah Town Square Facebook group.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah Police Chief Roy Minter nominated to Georgia U.S. Marshals
