Hommel loses ‘interim’ status, has plans for Marlin PD

James Hommel, 54, was relieved of his duties as Interim Police Chief during the Marlin City council meeting on Dec. 8 and was instead given the title of Marlin Police Chief. 

After a six month probationary period, council members sat in closed session to decide his fate with Marlin P.D. and came out with a unanimous decision to award the veteran law enforcement officer a two-year contract. 

Hommel is adamant that he’s going to change the way people think about the Marlin Police Department.

“There have been so many [officers] in and out,” he told the Marlin Democrat. “It makes it hard sometimes, but I plan on changing that too.”

Hommel began work in Marlin back in March under Chief Lawrence McCall and took over the position when McCall left in early June. 

“I have experience as a chief and I know what it takes to be a chief,” he said in a press release. “I am from a small agency and I have always worked in small agencies.”

The law enforcement officer has worked as Leon County Sheriff’s Department narcotics officer, as well as on a Madison-Leon County narcotics task force prior to that.

Additionally, nine of his nearly 30 years of experience were spent as Oakwood Chief of Police in Leon County. 

He stressed the importance of knowing how to interact with other entities to further everyone’s causes.

“I know what it takes for small agencies to get things done and how to work with the budget and with the city council,” Hommel explained. “I plan to make the citizens the main priority, but you also have to work with the city council, the city manager and with the sheriff’s office and other local agencies.”

 “We all depend on each other.”