The public safety director is in charge of the 710 employees in the Cobb Police Department, the 683 employees in the Cobb Fire Department, the 125 employees in the county’s 911 unit and the 53 staff members in the animal control unit. He will receive a salary of between $101,587 and $165,651. The exact amount remains to be determined, county spokesman Robert Quigley said.
Lee spoke of Forsythe’s experience.
“I just think he has a wide breadth of experience over all areas of responsibility that he will manage from 911 to fire to police, and I think he brings a level of experience and expertise to that position that will be an asset to the department managers that will serve with him,” Lee said. “I think he’ll be a good team player for the district attorney and the folks in the courthouse as well, and I think he’ll work well with the sheriff’s office, so I think he’ll be a good team player all around.”
Forsythe, 59, and his wife of 34 years, Susan, have one son. Forsythe was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up there and in Prince George’s County, Md. He has worked as a self-employed public safety consultant since 2011. From 2003 to 2011, Forsythe worked for NASA, where he was the senior law enforcement official responsible for public safety functions at 14 self-contained city-structured sites across the country.
Before NASA, Forsythe worked for FEMA/Homeland Security, for the FCC, and as the executive commander of Prince George’s County Public Safety Communications.
“I’ve got 30-plus years of law enforcement public safety and public service,” he said.
He has a master’s degree in applied behavioral sciences from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in management sciences from the University of Maryland.
“Public safety is basically my passion,” he said. “I knew what I was going to do when I graduated high school, and when I got out, I sort of groomed myself — I watched what I did and tailored my activities to becoming a law enforcement officer. I think I have a multitude of experience, a multitude of success and with my winning management style, I think I can help enhance the public safety within Cobb County.”
Forsythe said Cobb is similar to Prince George’s County from a public safety perspective.
“Cobb County is one of the best managed counties I’ve seen in the whole country, and I’d like to be a part of that organization,” he said.
There were 206 applicants for the job, which was advertised in national trade magazines. Of those, 66 applicants were considered “eligible.” A committee appointed by County Manager David Hankerson that included former Cobb HR director Sheila Buckner, Kennesaw Police Chief Bill Westenberger, Smyrna Fire Chief Jason Lanyon, county HR director Tony Hagler, Cobb Schools Safety Director James Arrowood, Deputy Sheriff Lynda Coker, transportation director Faye DiMassimo and county lawyer Deborah Dance interviewed the applicants.
The position became vacant when Mickey Lloyd resigned in July 2010 amid claims he had embellished his military career. The county’s fire chief, Sam Heaton, stepped in to serve as the interim director. Heaton applied for the permanent job, as did one other county employee, 911 director Tony Wheeler, Hankerson said.
Forsythe said he looked forward to being confirmed.
“I’m really looking forward to getting in and moving forward,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of work to be done. I think Mr. Hankerson has done an excellent job. I think he’s sort of managing three other departments, including his current job of county manager, so hopefully we can get in and take a look at how we can increase the efficiency, maximize efforts and provide a service to the citizens even more so than what they’re use to. The No. 1 thing is we want to provide the best protection for the citizens, police and fire, and then we want to take a look at our efficiencies, what can we do to maximize our efficiencies within policies and procedures, and from there I think we’ll be able to move forward.”
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Prior to Federal Service Mr. Forsythe was a Police Officer in Prince Georges County Maryland.an Agency with over 1400 Officers. He worked his way up from street cop, special operations, dignitary protection and retired as a member of the Command Staff of the PD>
He made numerous arrests in his career and continued to carry a firearm as the AA at NASA where he was required to qualify twice a year with his issued handgun and also shoulder weapons.
I served with Jack and can attest to his ability with weapons.
I also can attest to his integrity, He has conducted himself in an exemplary manner in all positions and will be a tremendous asset to the Public Safety efforts in Cobb County.
I would like to know how he scores on a weapons range (both rifle and pistol,) and has he ever personally, actually "arrested" a perpetrator.
I also want to know about the NASA allegations.
Forsythe appears to be a Bureaucrat that may not have adequate field experience to manage this department.
Wasn’t the interim public safety director the fire chief? I never heard these same concerns about the interim director. It is a good bet the fire chief has never personally, actually arrested a perpetrator. Or the fire chief never qualified on the weapons range (both rifle and pistol).
The real reason people don’t like this candidate is because he isn’t a Cobb insider.
I can tell you the message it sends county employees regarding career development; positions will be awarded based on education and qualifications NOT tenure. In your own words it is career development and NOT just hang around long enough and we will promote you. Most count employees will not like this appointment because they don’t have the education and qualifications to compete on the open market.
Get real all positions voted on by the BCO are political appointments.
Also, shouldn’t the person in charge of the county, Chairman Lee, have the right to pick employees that will “play ball”? Or should they employees control their bosses? That the main problem in this county the employees want to run the show. Run for office if you want to be in charge.
You said, "With professional leaders in each department". Then the question is why didn’t any of them get this position? Especially the person who held the position for two years. It could be because they lack the necessary management experience. Many in this county’s leadership positions lack the professional credentials and education to hold comparable positions outside this county. They have come up the good old boy’s ranks and only know the Cobb way. They understand all they need to do to get these high ranking management position is develop the “right” relationships and stay on the job long enough. Once is a leadership they disparage employees with better credentials and educations. They are unable or unwilling to make any significant changes to make their department more efficient. Most are only a year or two away from retirement and do not want to create waves. In this county the upper level public safety positions are too often selected based personal relationships and not qualifications. This practice has degraded these departments and the service they provide. These are the reasons for having a Public Safety Director.
The Public Safety Director’s staff sworn personnel who work for the police department. There are no great savings be eliminating this position. But you are correct the “good old days” was the best and there are no reasons for improving and advancing the county’s services. No one outside this county has any good ideas.
Cobb County Animal Control NEEDS more money & employees!!!!!
Case in point-
Smyrna , we have a rental house where folks moved in 2 years ago w/ 2 large dogs, a mastiff & german shepard. The house has no fenced in yard.
The people have been given warnings, and quite a few tickets, for tethering the dogs outside. Apparently, the $100 fine doesn't deter them from continuing to tie these dogs outside.
Yesterday, I phoned Animal Control at 4 p.m. to inform the dogs were both tied up, no-one home. I noticed at 9 p.m., the dogs were still tied up & barking, the outside temperature was 34 degrees.
Animal Control cannot be reached after 6 p.m. I was referred to online complaint form or 911. I called Smyrna 911 and they stated they could not come out, it had to be handled by Cobb County.
This needs to be changed!!!
It is time to raise fines for abuse of animals. Many states fines for tethering are $1,000 up to a felony in certain cases.
These dogs remaind outside in the freezing weather until the owner came home around 11 p.m.
My heart was so sad for these poor dogs. They rely on us to protect them.
3 things need to be looked at-
1)-raise fines
-fine the pet owner
-any infraction, send warning to landlord/investor
-3rd offense, fine landlord, too
2)-REQUIRE rental properties that choose to rent to animal owners to be fenced in, if LARGE dogs are on rental property(investors don't live in our neighborhoods & don't seem to care)
3) -Cobb's cities need at least ONE animal control officer each & van w/ capability to pick up animals after County hours & take them to shelter.
Tim Lee,...haven't you said we have a SURPLUS?????????? Let's use it wisely.
It would serve the owners right.
I'm not one for solving all problems with government intervention, but in cases of animal cruelty like this, the county should step in.
(David has so much to do) Hah Hah.