FERRIDAY, La.– Vidalia investigator Bobby Sheppard was appointed as Ferriday’s police chief in a special meeting the Town Council held Saturday morning just after being sworn into office.

In addition, Assistant Fire Chief Joe Sontoyo was named fire chief and former mayoral candidate Alex Promise was named as administrative assistant.

Sheppard had already gotten started in his new post, meeting with Police Department employees at 12:01 a.m. Saturday in a changeover he said went smoothly despite a few personnel changes.

One patrol officer, one dispatcher and an assistant court clerk were fired from the department, but a dispatcher, assistant court clerk and investigator — the latter, Ferriday Officer Richard Greene — were hired, Sheppard said.

&uot;At the meeting, we set up the ground rules and the direction we want this department to go in,&uot;&160;he added. &uot;We want to work to work with the community as a whole for the betterment of Ferriday.&uot;

An unexpected change was the appointment of Sontoyo as fire chief, replacing former chief Hermon Smith, who newly sworn Mayor Glen McGlothin said will now serve as assistant fire chief.

&uot;It was just time for a change,&uot;&160;McGlothin said. &uot;Joe has been with the department seven years, so he’s got the experience.&uot;

&uot;I didn’t know until (McGlothin) announced it just now,&uot; Sontoyo said. &uot;I had heard some rumors, but you can’t believe those.&uot; Smith did not return calls Saturday.

Promise, who ran against McGlothin for the mayor’s post in March, was named as a full-time administrative assistant, which will put him in charge of writing grants and overseeing downtown revitalization.

&uot;I took this job because while I&160;lost the race, my concern for Ferriday has never changed,&uot;&160;Promise said. &uot;In making this appointment, Glen has reached out in way that says something positive about his character.&uot;