New leadership in Helena: Mike Wood appointed police chief
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At a Monday night City Council meeting, Mayor Brian Puckett announced that Mike Wood would be the next police chief for the city of Helena. Wood, who has been serving as Bessemer's police chief since April 2023, will officially take office on April 14, succeeding former Chief Brad Flynn.
Bessemer City is looking for a new police chief.
鈥淎s I told him, I did not anticipate having to look for a police chief this early, but I'm happy for him and his family,鈥� The City of Bessemer Mayor Kenneth Gulley said.
After two years as police chief and 30 years as an officer for the City of Bessemer, police chief Mike Wood is taking a new opportunity 30 minutes up the interstate to the City of Helena.
Gulley gave Wood the chief title after Chief Mike Roper left in 2022. Back then, Gulley says it was easy choosing Wood who was a captain at the time.
" I looked at his mannerisms. I looked at his ability to get things done. You know, I think that he'll carry that to Helena,鈥� Gulley said.
Soon the search will begin for a new chief. Gulley says they'll request a list of potential candidates from the Jefferson County Personnel Board.
鈥淲e'll narrow that down. We'll look at how many people on the list, usually narrow it down to 3 or 4 names, bring those individuals in based on their experience, and go forth from there,鈥� Gulley said.
Gulley tells me, the department isn't fully staffed but they have about 70 sworn-in officers ready to protect and serve.
"I put my officers up against anyone in America,鈥� Gulley said.
The mayor says they'll find the right person for the job. Wood鈥檚 last day is April 11th. The city says it will name an interim on or around April 10th.
The announcement about Wood leaving comes after Flynn stepped down from his role in late January. In a heartfelt message shared on Facebook, Flynn expressed that it was time for him to "turn the page to the next chapter" of his life. He reflected on his three decades of service, sharing the personal reasons behind his decision.
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"Over the past 3 decades, I have dedicated my life to my community," Flynn wrote. "As you get older, and more of your friends begin to retire, you begin to think more of your career mortality. Eventually, all good things come to an end. It鈥檚 been the biggest honor of my life to wear the badge of Chief for the past 4 years and of all the ranks I鈥檝e achieved over my career."
Accompanying his post, Flynn shared an image of two Helena police chief badges, with one marked as "retired." He added, "I鈥檝e always heard, 'You鈥檒l know when it鈥檚 time.' I ordered this badge last year knowing my time was nearing, and after some serious health and family concerns, now I know it鈥檚 time for me to change one badge for the other."
Wood's appointment marks a new chapter for the Helena Police Department. Wood's swearing-in ceremony is on April 14.
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