Tupelo Chief of Police Resigns

TUPELO, Miss. – (WCBI) Chief Tony Carleton made his decision public Monday evening, but did not give a reason why he is resigning.
The Tupelo agency has seen many improvements since Carleton took the position in December of 2009.
From equipment upgrades to community out reaches, Carleton has been credited with several accomplishments while serving as Tupelo’s top cop.
He has been in law enforcement since 1994, and been with the Tupelo Police Department for the last 12 years. His last day on the Tupelo force will be October 31st.

PRESS RELEASE

September 23, 2013

Professional Colleagues,

I am thankful for the support and opportunities Tupelo has provided me during the last few years. I am resigning my position as Chief of Police for the City of Tupelo. My last day of employment will be October 31st, 2013. The team at TPD has many accomplishments. Here are a few:

2013 Currently building new radio system

2013 Currently building new Report Management System RMS for the police department

2013 New evaluation process for department

2013 TPD member assigned to the Marshals Task Force

2013 Seized property – six year investigation. Future Police Headquarters

2013 Professional Development – Carrier path

2013 Coffee with a COP

2013 Junior Police Academy

2013 Acquired explosive detection canine to the EOD team

2013 Acquired new Chevrolet Tahoe, training aids and equipment for K-9

2012 Purchased new Hybrid Radio System for Andros F-6 robot

2012 We upgraded our capabilities by purchasing an Explosive Detection Machines (Quantum Sniffer), Explosive testing equipment, Radiation Monitors, Radiation Surveyor and a Chemical/Blister Agent Kit

2012 Accredited – Mississippi Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission

2012 Revamped property room to bring into compliance

2012 Revamped FTO program to PTO program – Police Training Officers Program

2011 Implemented job fair

2011 Added medics to swat team

2011 Self defense for teenage and adult women

2011 Ride-along program

2011 Pastor on patrol

2011 Back on Track Program

2011 Purchased key attachments for the robot such as Raft Tool Kit, Claw Assembly, Circular Saw

2011 Updated old Andros F-5 robot to Andros F-6b robot – significant Improvement

2010 DUI program grant from Mississippi public safety office

2010 Implemented a Mission statement

2010 Performance based interviewing

2010 Hispanic forum to solve problems

Police Athletic League

2013 Mississippi Municipal League – Public Safety Award

2013 Increase the number of sports provided for children baseball was added.

2012 Bought and renovated new facility in $750K

2011 Added 50% more summer activities

2011 Implemented travel basketball program

2010 Mentoring program – Badges for Baseball

2010 Mentoring program – $30K from National PAL

I want the city of Tupelo to remember that there are hard working Police Officers and civilians in this department that truly care about this city. Without their hard work and dedication these accomplishments would not have been possible.

I have enjoyed my tenure with Tupelo. This will always be home for me.

Please keep my family in your prayers as we begin this new phase of our lives.

Tony Carleton