20230111-Emails W Davis and Libby Re Comm Issues - Redacted
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savannahnow.com20230111-Emails W Davis and Libby Re Comm Issues - Redacted
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savannahnow.comFrom: Steve Davis
To: Matthew Libby
Cc: ; Charles Mays; Thomas Kilmartin; Jason Stewart
Subject: RE: Communication issues
Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 9:26:58 AM
Chief,
Thank you for this response and information. I had a good discussion with Major Sherrod yesterday
and let him know I needed the updated paperwork and documentation for the promotions. I would
like to see degree information for each of these employees if you don’t mind.
We also discussed travel, specifically for his command college. I made it clear that I did not suspend
his travel or any of the other trips you listed in your email, I just wanted a current list of all non-
GPSTC trainings.
The other thing he and I discussed was vehicle purchases. I would like for you and me to discuss the
replacement vehicle for the accident car and the new one for Professional Standards prior to you
purchasing please.
I will see you tomorrow for the department head meeting and the interviews.
Respectfully,
Steve Davis, MPA CPM
City Manager
7224 GA Highway 21
Port Wentworth, GA 31407
T: (912) 964-4379
F : (912) 966-7429
Terresa Lake – Executive Assistant
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From: Matthew Libby < >
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2023 3:09 PM
To: Steve Davis < >
Cc: ; Charles Mays < >; Thomas
Kilmartin < >; Jason Stewart
< >
Subject: Communication issues
January 10, 2023
Mr. Davis,
I am responding to your email about communication issues. As we have discussed in prior
meetings, I may not agree with the way things are outlined in refence to the professional
standards position however I did advise you I would do whatever you advised me to do.
The promotions made on January 6, 2023 where not for any political purpose or to disrespect
you in anyway. We did not hold a promotion swearing in at the request of those who had been
promoted. I do understand why you want us to have one and in the future we will do so and
notify you in a timely manner. I have been working on these promotions as part of filling out a
full change of command with officer’s to oversee each division in the department. With the
growth of the city the goal is to set up the department to grow properly. As part of that growth
we needed to take the first step, which is the promotions. I do agree that I should have
communicated this process with you and for that I apologize.
I promoted Major Sherrod to the position of Assistant Chief due to the needs of the
department. Major Sherrod has been with the department for over 20 years and has the
education, training and experience need for this position. He is currently taken training classes
through Columbus State University, Command College program which is designed to educate
and train police professionals.
I promoted Captain Jentzen to Major of the Patrol Division as part of the rank restructuring.
Captain Jentzen has over 13 years of experience as police officer and 7 years with this
department. Captain Jentzen has 20 years’ experience in leadership roles with the United
States Army and in the processes of completing his bachelor’s degree.
I promoted Captain Chamberlain to the rank of Major of Administrative Services / North
Precinct Commander. Captain Chamberlain has 15 years of law enforcement experience with
this department and retired as a supervisor after 20 years with the Savannah Housing
Authority. Captain Chamberlain has the education, training, and experience to lead and
supervise others to assist in the management of the services offered by the department.
I promoted Lieutenant Brown to the rank Captain over the Criminal Investigation Unit. The
continued case load and request for services will require additional investigator which requires
me to clearly establish a proper change of command. Lieutenant Brown has 12 years of law
enforcement experience. The majority of that experience is in criminal investigation with
Savannah Police, Effingham Sheriffs’ Office and our department. Lieutenant Brown has a
vast knowledge of experience and education which is vital to the successful operation of this
unit.
I promoted Corporal Rahn to the rank of Sergeant in the Criminal Investigation Unit to assist
Lt. Brown in the day to day operations of this unit and to be able to step in and run the unit in
the absence of Lt. Brown. Corporal Rahn has 10 years’ experience to include 6 of those year
as a Criminal Investigator with the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit. Corporal Rahn has vast
experience investigating and prosecuting all types of criminal offenses. Corporal Rahn is one
of are instructors and field training officers.
The purchase of software on my city issued purchase card was brought to my attention by Mr.
Kilmartin, and he explained to me that was not a proper purchase for the card. I should not
make purchase like that without notifying him and pay the company via purchase order/check.
I reread the purchase cards policy and found my error. I advised Mr. Kilmartin that I apologize
and that it will not happen again. Mayor Norton also advised me that you had addressed this
error with him. I explained to Mayor Norton that I made a mistake in paying for the software
with my purchase cards and advised him that I had reread the purchase card policy and that it
would not happen again.
The following officers are scheduled for non- GPTSC training:
Major Sherrod Command College at Columbus State University 01/15/23 – 01/20/23.
Chief Libby Georgia Chiefs Conference training at Jekyll Island 01/22/23 - 01/25/23.
Cpl. Rahn Firearms Instructor training at FLECT in Glynn County 01/23/23 – 02/10/23.
Major Sherrod Command College at Columbus State University 03/12/23 – 03/17/23.
Lt. Brown and Mrs. King Hurricane Conference in New Orleans, LA 04/02/23 – 04/07/23.
Major Sherrod Command College at Columbus State University 05/23/23 – 04/28/23.
Respectfully,
Matthew W. Libby
Chief of Police
Matthew W. Libby
Chief of Police
City of Port Wentworth
323 Cantyre St.
Port Wentworth, GA 31407
Ofice: (912) 964-4360
Mobile:
Fax: (912)966-7405
