THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 28, 1995 TAG: 9511280290
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Police Capt. A.M. ``Jake'' Jacocks Jr. is among the eight finalists of 112 applicants vying for the job of police chief in Boynton Beach, Fla.
Jacocks, 43, is one of three non-Florida candidates being considered to replace retiring Chief Thomas Dettman. Dettman, who served two years at the top post of the 129-member department, will leave after the city decides on his replacement.
Jacocks and the other candidates are scheduled for more interviews Dec. 6 and 7. They will face further questions from two groups of Boynton Beach residents and a committee of Florida police chiefs.
Jacocks, a 24-year veteran, faces competition for the job from two Illinois police chiefs and five high-ranking Florida law officers.
Boynton Beach wants the new chief to focus on weaknesses highlighted in a June report that faulted the department for its efforts at minority hiring, internal communication and community policing.
``I believe we've got the best police department around in Virginia Beach, and we've done well in all three of those areas,'' Jacocks said. ``If I do get offered the job, I will be taking a lot of good experience there from my 24 years in this department. It would be a tough move to leave this department and this area, but it would also be a tremendous opportunity for me.''
Jacocks is the commanding officer of the Police Department's Professional Standards Office. That office, similar to an internal affairs bureau, monitors the conduct of officers and investigates complaints against them. He is one of a dozen captains in the Virginia Beach police force. He recently was selected for promotion to lieutenant commander in the United States Naval Reserves.
Jacocks has served as commander of the special operations bureau, the first precinct and the second precinct. He is also chairman of the Pungo Strawberry Festival.
The Boynton Beach city manager said she expects to announce the choice by the end of the year. MEMO: The Associated Press contributed to this report. by CNB