Plains hires commissioner

Nick Lawyer, manager of Lawyer Wholesale Nursery, was named Plains police commissioner October 3 at the Plains Town council Meeting.

Plains Mayor Michael Brinson said that he thought the appointment by the board was a good choice.

“I’m sure Nick will do a good job,” he said.

Lawyer will sit as the chair of the police commission board, with two other people. Brinson said that one of the duties of the commission is that they are involved in the hiring process.

“If we were to replace anyone or if someone was quitting they would go before the police commission,” Brinson said.

Another duty deals with reprimanding officers. “If an officer is reprimanded and if they don’t agree with my judgment they can go before the police commissioner,” Brinson said. “And from there the commission can over turn what I said or agree with what I said.”

Lawyer said that he is happy to serve. “I’m happy to serve folks and the community,” he said. “I feel blessed to be able to give back to the community that raised me.”

He said the position has a small importance to the community and he also said that it is important to remember that he isn’t the only one. “It’s important to remember that I’m one of three,” he said.

Lawyer went on to say that the two issues the police commission deal with are when there is a grievance between the department or in the hiring decisions. He also said that the police commission is deferential to the mayor as well.

“I stepped forward willing to serve this position, I have a strong sense of service,” he said. “My goal is to make sure that the community runs smoothly.”

Lawyer said that this group hasn’t met for a long time and since he has the least seniority meetings will be deferential to the committee. “I think we will meet on a quarterly basis though,” he said.