WESSON — A new police chief will take the helm next month whencurrent chief Jim Dykes takes a law enforcement position in anotherstate.

Frank Coker, a long-time law enforcement officer, was nominatedby town board members last week after they accepted the resignationof Dykes, who has served as police chief for almost a year.

“We’re glad to have someone with as much experience as FrankCoker to step in and continue doing a great job,” Mayor Bill Tignersaid after the special called board meeting.

Coker immediately accepted the position and is looking forwardto continuing his efforts to protect Wesson.

“I appreciate the opportunity and the confidence the board hadin me,” Coker said. “I’m going to do a good job for thepeople.”

He has eight years experience with the Lincoln County Sheriff’sDepartment and about a year at the Wesson Police Department.

Coker also has experience with budgets as the president of theLincoln County board of supervisors from 1991-1995.

“I believe that will help me work with the board,” he said.

While Coker plans to take on his new role in mid-January, Dykesalso looks forward to a new challenge.

He plans to move to Mobile, Ala. to work on that city’s policeforce, a job he sought when living there last year.

“When I was down there I had applied, but I received a promotionin a civilian job so I took that instead,” Dykes said.

He noted that when the job was offered again recently, he didnot want to miss out on the chance again. Town officials agreedwith his decision.

“We realize he has a lot more opportunities for advancement withthe Mobile Police Department,” Tigner remarked.

He commended Dykes for serving the town so well, mentioning howDykes obtained a number of grants for the town.

“Jim did a good job for us. We wish him luck,” Tigner said.

Also during the special called meeting, the board assigned theOld Wesson School architect contract to Watkins and Cox Company,which worked on part of Lampton Auditorium, Thames Center and thenew chapel at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

The next board meeting will be Jan. 2 in Town Hall on SpringStreet.