McComb’s city board removed the term interim from Earnest Perry’s title Tuesday night in City Hall, naming him the new chief of police in the city in a 5-0 vote.
After the close of the meeting several well-wishers surrounded Perry congratulating him on his new position.
“Full speed ahead,” he said after his appointment, adding that he would continue to rebuild the police department’s ranks. “We are growing. We have hired nine people since March. We are still hiring. I am a good recruiter. The goal is making this department the best in the South.”
Earlier in the meeting, Perry introduced his two latest recruits, both veteran law enforcement officials who he said would be great additions to the force.
The board voted to add Jeffery Letchworth and Lamar Cook to the force, lifting the number of police officers to 26.
Letchworth most recently served as the police chief of Monticello for a year and a half.
He has also worked as a detective for the Pike County Sheriff’s Department.
Cook said he was born and raised in Pike County and was a graduate of South Pike High School. He has worked at the Magnolia Police Department and the Pike County Sheriff’s Department.
“I think I can be an asset to the police department,” he said.
Perry’s first day as chief of police is Wednesday and that term will end June 30, 2026, according to the motion elevating him to chief.
He was hired in February and took office as the assistant police chief of McComb on March 1. He was named interim chief during the city’s June 10 meeting and started in that position June 17, the day after former chief Juan Cloy’s last day on the force.
Perry is a former chief of police in Centreville.
Cloy gave praise to Perry after he was named interim chief.
“He has just done wonders with the department. Everybody runs to him,” Cloy said.
Selectman Bruce Mullins was absent from the meeting.
