Chief announces promotions at Decatur PD

RISING IN THE RANKS — Officers who received promotions at Decatur Police Department included, from left, Amy Blankenship (corporal), Michael Dobyns (assistant chief), Keith Hilton (captain) and Jeff Joiner (patrol sergeant).
BRIAN KNOX/WCMESSENGER

The Messenger
By Brian Knox 
October 12, 2023

Decatur Police Chief Delvon Campbell recently announced a number of promotions in the department.

The promotions took effect at the beginning of the budget year, Oct. 1.

Michael Dobyns was promoted from captain to the rank of assistant chief.

“Assistant Chief Dobyns brings a tremendous amount of leadership and overall knowledge to the table, and he has earned the respect of those under him,” Campbell said. “Since joining our department full time again three years ago, his contributions to the culture of the department has been invaluable.”

Keith Hilton was promoted from the rank of sergeant to enforcement captain.

“Captain Hilton has been a long time employee of the department who has embraced his leadership role in the past three years as well,” Campbell said. “Captain Hilton understands the day to day operations of the department which makes him the right person to lead the operations side of the department (patrol, SRO, CID, etc.).”

Jeff Joiner, who began his career as a dispatcher for the department before becoming an officer, was promoted to patrol sergeant.

“Sergeant Joiner has shown that he has those qualities and characteristics that our department is looking for in a patrol sergeant,” Campbell said.

As of Aug. 1 of this year, Amy Blankenship was promoted to the rank of corporal overseeing the school resource officer program. Campbell noted she is the first female to hold a position of rank with the department.

“Corporal Blankenship has been lights out as a school resource officer for our department and the Decatur ISD,” he said. “She is very knowledgeable on school issues and law, and has an ability to relate with the kids. She embraces her role with the ISD staff, students and administrators.”

Campbell said that as the community continues to grow, so does the police department. That growth, he said, creates leadership opportunities and challenges the department has never faced before.

“It is great to know that we have men and women within our department that are willing to accept these leadership roles.  When someone is promoted they don’t get to work less, but in actuality they are expected to work more,” he said.

The department is the largest it has been in its history. It currently has 40 budgeted positions: 29 sworn officers, seven communications officers, three civilian positions and one animal control position.