Forti acting police chief during search

Mathis Winkler

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2001 | 9:43 a.m.

City officials say Capt. Joseph Forti was the obvious choice to become acting police chief.

Forti, 46, who will replace retiring Chief Joey Tillmon on Nov. 1, is the highest ranking member of the department. He will be paid $105,824 -- a 5 percent increase over his captain's pay -- as acting police chief.

"I have a lot of confidence in Joe to step into that position," said City Manager Kurt Fritsch, who announced Forti's appointment on Tuesday.

Mayor Michael Montandon agreed.

"He has the most experience," Montandon said of Forti.

Forti, who joined the department in May 1980, has worked in the narcotics and traffic division, served on the department's SWAT team and worked as a detective. He has also served as the department's spokesman.

The mayor said he expected city officials would conduct a nationwide search and hire an outsider as a permanent replacement for Tillmon.

"We're going outside for a chief," Montandon said.

Forti doesn't yet have the experience required to be selected permanent chief, city officials say.

Fritsch said Forti was promoted to captain in December and the city's new top cop should have at least three years' experience as as a captain.

Although that requirement may change as the search for a new chief continues, Fritsch said he first wants to take a look at any experienced candidates who apply. City officials said the search will take about six months.

Forti said he would work closely with Tillmon to ensure a smooth transition.

"To the chief's credit, he's been here every day" since announcing his retirement, Forti said.

He said that he planned to move ahead with work on a new substation and would fill vacancies within the department, although an assistant chief -- a new position -- would not be hired until a new chief has been placed.

"We're going to go forward and not just sit back and wait for a new chief to come in," Forti said, adding that he would have to think carefully about applying for the permanent position.

"I believe I can do the job," he said. "But when you take the chief's position while trying to raise a family, it's sometimes a difficult thing to balance."

City officials have said the decision to part ways with Tillmon was mutual. But some, such as local activist Pastor S.S. Rogers, who serves as a police chaplain, said Tillmon was pressured to leave.

City Council members on Oct. 17 approved a $66,000 payment to the state's public employees' retirement system to enhance Tillmon's benefits package by about 5 percent, to 57.5 percent of his salary. He makes about $109,000.