By Patti Dozier
THOMASVILLE — Thomasville Police Department’s new public information officer (PIO) possesses talents other than meeting deadlines of reporters who hound him for stories.
His boss considers him a leader with compromising skills, someone people have no qualms about following. The officer’s skills in compromising surface when different points of view are at hand.
Sgt. Ricky Singletary wears many police hats. His TPD duties are dizzying. How does he get it all done?
“You see my desk?” Singletary asked, pointing out his work station within a cubicle at the Jail-Justice Center.
Singletary is in charge of community relations and serves as crime-prevention officer. He also is a school resource officer.
“I’m also in charge of recruiting,” he explained.
He teaches Neighborhood Watch classes and makes crime-prevention presentations to civic clubs. At PTO meetings, he provides information about what parents should look for in drug use among young people.
“His leadership is shining through since he has been promoted,” said police Chief David Huckstep.
The chief chose Singletary, a Crimestoppers board member, for the PIO slot because of his qualifications. “He has good people skills,” Huckstep said.
Singletary’s big, bright smile might not be a qualification, but it certainly is an attribute one notices immediately.
The officer takes his smile and considerable mentoring capabilities into schools.
“I like the schools,” Singletary explained. “I have a passion for kids.”
His SRO duties do not end when the last bell of the school day rings. Singletary must attend sports and other extracurricular school events.
He shows children different ways to handle difficult situations. Some students have no one to talk to, Singletary said, adding that “kids raising kids” is not unusual.
“People need to find love and acceptance anywhere they can find it,” Singletary said. Sometimes that acceptance is issued in the drug world.
Many thefts are drug-related, the officer noted. Thieves convert stolen goods to cash to buy drugs. For as little as $2, a user can purchase a little crack cocaine dust.
Educating people about the sad endings that come with drug use is among Singletary’s priorities. Illegal drugs result in a downward spiral into nothingness, according to the officer.
He is rewarded when a formerly at-risk student graduates from high school and goes to college.
“I had a couple I didn’t think would make it,” he said.
In his PIO position, Singletary is well aware of the 24/7 world of news. “It’s not just a daytime need anymore,” he said. “Everybody’s rushing to get that story. They’ve got a deadline.”
Singletary likes the media whirlwind. It keeps him on his toes.
Every livelihood has a downside. For Singletary, it is the time he is away from his family.
In all his roles, the chief said, Singletary is a leader.
“People follow him because they want to, not because they have to,” Huckstep said.
