Interim Pocomoke City Police Chief Speaks
Just over a month ago former Pocomoke City Police Chief Kelvin Sewell was terminated, in his place Lt. Earl Starner of the Maryland State Police (MSP) was appointed to take command during an interim period. 47 ABC sat down with Starner to discuss how that appointment happened and where things in Pocomoke go from here.
Starner said he first heard about the interim position more than a week after Sewell’s dismissal. According to Starner, Pocomoke City Mayor Bruce Morrison called the Berlin Barracks where Starner is the commander. He asked that the State Police provide an interim police chief.
“He made a request that the state police provide an interim police chief during this transition period as they search for a new permanent police chief. My initial conversation with him was, I’ll find out the process for you,” Starner said.
After talking with Col. William Pallozie, superintendent of MSP, Starner informed Morrison that he would need to make his request in writing. Morrison submitted that request the following day, which Starner then sent to Pallozie.
After considering different options, Pallozie selected Starner for the position. Starner say Pallozie chose him because of his 16 years of experience on the Eastern Shore.
While Starner in charge during the 60-day interim period, he says he’s just trying to make Pocomoke better day-by-day. One way of doing that, he says, is by keeping foot patrols a priority.
“I have emphasized every day the importance of making sure that we do (foot patrols) because that visibility out there, that goes to the perception of the public and were as concerned with the perception of crime as we are of actual crime,” Starner said.
However, critics of Starner’s appointment say there hasn’t been much of a difference in the past month.
“I see no changes in the community since Chief Sewell left, except now we have the kids hanging a little more on the streets,” said Rev. James Jones, a member of the group Citizens for a Better Pocomoke.
Since Sewell has been gone though, Jones said he has noticed a divide in the community.
“(I)think there’s difference between the police and the community and we feel like there’s been a distance put there, and I don’t say that that comes from (Starner),” Jones said.
Even though Starner has less than a month left in this position, he tells 47 ABC he’s willing to bridge that gap between police and the community.
“I’ll put out there an invitation to invite me (in),” Starner said. “(If) you’re a resident of Pocomoke and you just want to say hi, shake my hand and put a face with a name, please stop in, reach out to me, give me a call, I’ll come to you.”
