Citronelle Names Chris McLean as New Police Chief After Four-Month Search

Citronelle has a new police chief, ending a four-month search that began after the city’s previous top officer stepped down. Mayor Jason String announced that he and the City Council selected Chris McLean for the job.

McLean brings substantial law enforcement experience to the role, having previously served as police chief in both Satsuma and Chickasaw. Before leading those departments, he worked for the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office.

The vacancy opened when former Chief John Norris resigned Sept. 1, citing what he described as deteriorating relationships with city officials.

String said the city sought outside help to run a thorough selection process, consulting with Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson’s administration. Former Mobile police chief Jimmy Barber, now Stimpson’s chief of staff, assembled a panel of interviewers experienced in police leadership searches. Candidates went through behavioral evaluations and interviews observed by String and council members — including a simulated impromptu media interview — before the panel made its recommendations to the city.

String praised McLean’s record of building community partnerships and his involvement in school safety programs, and said the new chief was set to take over Jan. 3.

About the departments

Satsuma and Chickasaw, where McLean previously served as chief, are both small cities in northern Mobile County, as is Citronelle.