FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE: 9/27/19

City of Marlin
101 Fortune Street
Marlin, Texas 76661
254-883-1450

“The City of Marlin Attracts Well-Qualified Police Chief Candidates”

Throughout the small Central Texas City of Marlin, the city is experiencing significant changes and seeing future
opportunities once again, despite some setbacks. Many Central Texans is admiring the resilience and tenacity of
this small-town leadership team efforts to be more transparent and to “Get It Right.”

The City of Marlin announces it has completed its search for Chief of Police and a list of five semi-finalists has been
compiled. Among the 11 well-qualified candidates who applied for the position, five semifinalists were named to
meet with the city management and leadership team. The search included department leaders from cities across
the state. According to Cedric Davis Sr., Marlin’s City Manager/Interim Police Chief, “No internal officers were
considered because none met the new higher standards and qualifications authorized by the city council, who is
looking for a well-qualified leader to take over the overhauling duties of the Marlin Police Department from Davis.

Davis, who has more than three decades of combined law enforcement, public safety and security experience was
installed as Interim Police Chief on August 23, 2019, after the death of former Chief Nathan Sodek. Mayor Carolyn
Lofton and city leadership are preparing to accept Davis’ top five list at a special called city council meeting on
Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.

The semifinalists list includes candidates from Dallas, Houston, Mart, and Italy, Texas. The semi-finalist list is
diverse, it consists of two African Americans, two Hispanic Americans, and one White American candidate. All five
hold the Master Peace Officer certification. The candidate’s education credentials include: one Associate Degree,
three Master’s Degree’s, and one Doctoral Candidate. The semi-finalists years of law enforcement experience
range from 15 up to 42 years.

On Friday, October 4, 2019, city officials plan to schedule interviews with the five semifinalists before inviting the
top two candidates for a community forum-style interview with Marlin residents.

Mayor Carolyn Lofton stated: “In an effort to improve the quality and integrity of city leadership personnel, we are
elated to have the opportunity to meet and converse with the distinguished law enforcement officials that have
made it to this stage of the hiring process. I believe that the positive path we are taking to move Marlin forward
has generated the interest of quality individuals who are committed to assisting us in our efforts.” We thank all
Marlinite’s for their patience and understanding.