"It is a huge responsibility and undertaking to be done correctly," says a nervous Sherri Knight. It's her first interview in front of a TV camera in several years. She tells WDRB News she didn't apply to be police chief on a whim. The wife and mother of an 8-year-son says she really thought about it and talked it over with her family. "Once they were committed to it, I submitted," says Knight.
Now the 15-year veteran and current major will step into the top job January 1st, appointed by incoming mayor Jeff Gahan. "It's going to take some getting used to (being called Chief Knight)."
She will be New Albany's first female police chief when she takes over from current chief Todd Bailey, who's only been in the role one year.
"I applied for the job, of course, as many people did," says Bailey. "There's nothing bitter here. I think they wanted to go a different direction, which is their prerogative."
Chief Bailey says his biggest regret was trying to change the take-home vehicle policy. He says it deeply strained his relationship with the FOP and fellow officers.
Bailey wanted officers living outside Floyd County to use their personal car to get to and from work. A judge ruled the policy was unfair. "From that point on, there was a lot of animosity," says Bailey.
Knight says she'll work closely with officers and the FOP to keep them more involved. She also plans to expand Bailey's problem-oriented policing. "We have a good group of officers and they'll handle anything that comes their way."
Bailey plans to stay on with New Albany in his merit rank of sergeant.