CEDAR CITY – Starting July 1, Lt. Darin Adams is slated to take on the role of Cedar City Police Chief following current-Chief Bob Allinson’s last day before retirement.
The Cedar City Council unanimously approved Adams’ promotion Friday during a special meeting. Councilman Paul Cozzens was not present.
Adams was selected from a list of four candidates interviewed last week in front of a committee made up of four individuals, some of whom represented the community at large and others with law enforcement experience.
Mayor Maile Wilson said city administrators who organized the committee made sure most of the members had a background in law enforcement but no personal experience with the candidates.
“We try to find a diverse group who has knowledge of the subject, i.e. law enforcement, but not necessarily the applicants,” Wilson said.
Adams called the interview process excruciating. It consisted of several hours and multiple elements that included a managerial assessment, written test and an extensive interview with the committee.
All of the candidates were standing police officers with the department, as the city did not open the process up to outside applicants.
Wilson said she was impressed by everyone who applied but is happy with who the committee ultimately chose.
“Darin is going to be a tremendous asset, not only with the department but in the community,” Wilson said.
Besides the typical changes of promotions and reorganizing Adams has to look forward to, his number one priority is increasing community engagement with the public.
The department recently brought in a new intern currently working on her master’s degree. Her research includes what other police departments are doing with social media and how they are improving community engagement. Adams said by the time she’s done with her research she will have clocked 350 hours and he plans to use the information she gathers.
“The work she does is going to benefit her master’s project but also benefit us so we can really streamline and find creative ways to engage our community more. Town hall meetings, increase our neighborhood watch presence – things like that. Community engagement is critical,” Adams said.
Making sure the men and women who serve under him are mentally well and able to handle the various tragic scenarios they deal with on a regular basis in their respective roles is also important to Adams. He wants to continue to improve the mental health resources available to his officers.
Adams will be celebrating 19 years with the department on the day he takes over as chief. During that time he has served as a patrol officer, bicycle patrol officer, SWAT medic, patrol corporal and patrol sergeant. He served as the neighborhood preservation sergeant where he oversaw the activities of the “Law Enforcement Torch Run” for the Special Olympics, Shop with a Cop, alcohol enforcement, and other community programs. He also worked as the patrol lieutenant for five years.
Under the direction of Allinson, Adams also created the Volunteers in Police Service Program.
He worked as a narcotics officer in the then-Iron Garfield Counties Narcotics Task Force.
Currently Adams is serving as the operations division lieutenant and is the Crisis Intervention Team regional coordinator for Iron County.
Before becoming a police officer, Adams earned an associate’s degree in science and nursing and is still currently licensed as a registered nurse with past experience in home health and emergency nursing. Adams spent 12 years as an emergency medical technician and paramedic and nurse with the Iron County Ambulance Department.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration and management and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Phoenix.
Adams is married with three children and also serves as a scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America.
When he’s not serving the community, Adams said he enjoys spending time with his family, the outdoors, music, running and mountain biking.
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What a novel concept, community involvement. Interviewed 4 candidates, some with police experience? Is the new chief slamming the old chief saying there wasn’t enough community involvement under the old chief. Petty local politics at it’s worst. He was only a Lt and now chief. What a mickey mouse operation. Why don’t they just have the area bishop act as police chief and he can collect his tithing at the same time.
it’ll be like mormon sharia police
It’s Mormon not mormon. …will dumbob ever learn !