The Covington City Council unanimously confirmed Mike Ferrell as the city’s new police chief Tuesday night…
… despite complaints from the council over Mayor Mark Johnson’s handling of the nomination process. Those complaints prompted weeks of behind-the-scenes wrangling and at one point threatened to possibly derail the mayor’s choice. Nonetheless, the council voted 7-0 to approve Ferrell, a 28-year law enforcement veteran whose background includes a long stint at the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Even council member at-large Rick Smith, who disputed some details of Ferrell’s resume and questioned his qualifications, voted in favor of the pick following the two-hour special meeting.
