Staff Report
POWELL – The Town of Powell now has a former police chief serving as its new chief after the resignation of Chief Gage Wilson on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Former Powell Police Chief Michael Little was sworn into office on Wednesday. Little held the position from 2011 to 2020 before joining the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.
Wilson announced his resignation in a Facebook post. It stated, “I would like to let the Citizens of Powell know that I have officially resigned as Chief of Police. Officer Frazier, Officer Roberts, Assistant Chief Morgan, and Councilman Ronnie Helton have accompanied me in my departure. I have enjoyed my time here as an Officer, Assistant Chief, and Chief. My team and I have worked diligently to make Powell safer. We have accumulated over 100 Incident/Offense Reports and are responsible for over 100 arrests in the 8 months I have been Chief. We have worked with other agencies and took more drugs off the streets than ever before in Powell. We have had a great working relationship with all businesses and have prosecuted a handful of shoplifting cases. This is one of the toughest moments of my entire career. I feel as if my team and I were really moving in the right direction for this town. However, we were shut down on hours worked at the last meeting. We were also passed up for new equipment so the town could build a new town hall with Covid money provided for first responders. This is things that I can not stand for as a man or a Chief. I have no personal issues with anyone at Powell. I love Powell and the Citizens thereof. I am forever grateful for my opportunities here and will continue my career elsewhere. I wish the Town of Powell nothing but the best in its future endeavors. It’s just an unfortunate circumstance. Thank you all, and God Bless!”
After the post was made, Wison said the response to his resignation was overwhelming, and he issued another statement to WAFF News Channel 48. It read, “The response to my resignation and my team’s resignation has been huge and overwhelming this morning. I apologize that it has taken me a while to get back to all of you. The issues I have had are not just one issue. It has been more of a build-up over time. As I said in my post, I have nothing personal against any Citizen of Powell, the Mayor, or any Town Council. I have loved my time here and will be forever grateful for the opportunity. They have gotten us new Body Cameras, in-car Cameras, and a printer since I’ve been here. They have helped with some things. I would like to say I decided to resign nearly a week ago and have already turned my resignation letter in. My team didn’t just follow suit. They resigned for their own reasons that are not for me to disclose. I have had an amazing time here and was really moving forward. Sometimes things happen in small towns. I would just encourage every Citizen of Powell to show up to meetings and decide for themselves the way things are being run. Some may agree, and some may not. However, that’s why we have elections. The public has a voice on what’s best for Powell. They just have to show up and use their voice. I would like to close by thanking Mayor Byrum and all of the Town Council for the opportunity. I understand that business is business, and just because I don’t agree doesn’t mean that I don’t have respect for all as individuals. Thank you, and God Bless!”
Councilman Reggie Byrum spoke with WHNT News 19. He said, “That’s not exactly the way it was, but I really don’t want to elaborate on that right now. There’s some things that’s got to be confirmed, but right now, I really don’t have a statement on that part.”
The Town of Powell is in the process of hiring new officers to work with Chief Little. Little said that one officer remained at the police department after Tuesday’s resignations.