Cedric Anderson has been appointed to be the next chief of police for the Auburn Police Division. He will begin in March when current Chief Paul Register becomes the Public Safety Officer.
Anderson was born a military dependent, so he moved around with his parents for most of his childhood, later joining the military himself. He finally settled down in Auburn in 1988. He obtained his undergraduate degree at Auburn University in Montgomery and his graduate degree at Auburn University.
“I was a transplant, but I’ve been here so long I consider it home,” Anderson said. “When I got out of the military, my parents had already retired, and they lived here. I consider wherever they are as home.”
Anderson began working as a University police officer in 1988, later taking advantage of openings in the Auburn Police Division in January 1992. He served as the assistant chief for a little over three years.
“I have held every position [at the Auburn Police Division] except for Corporal, which is a training officer position,” Anderson said. “Even as a regular officer, I used to try to train and help other officers that were hired after me.”
In his 27 years at the APD, Anderson has seen the division grow from about 25 officers to around 150. He has worked long hours and on holidays, but he enjoys doing it because it allows for other officers and citizens to be safe and at home with their families.
Anderson does not expect the transition from assistant chief to chief to be strenuous, as he will keep many of the same responsibilities he already has.
“The biggest thing is, final decisions will now rest with me,” Anderson said. “Before, decisions rested with Chief Register. [Decision-making] is the only difference. I’ve done various aspects of the job and filled that role when [Register] has been away.”
The Assistant Chief position will be opened up this week to begin the application process, Anderson said.
“We want to continue to build on the success the Auburn Police Division has had over the years,” Anderson said. “There have been some great chiefs here. Each chief has built on the success of the previous administration, so that will be our goal.”
Anderson plans to begin by building strong relationships with the community. He does not have plans for major departmental changes for the near future.
“I don’t think you’re going to see the level of professionalism and the quality of work from this police division in any other place,” Anderson said. “That is something we’re proud of and something I want the citizens to know is not going to change. We’re going to be the same Auburn Police Division we’ve always been.”
Anderson looks forward to his new position as chief of police, providing the best police service to the community that he can.
“Our mission is to provide a quality police service, and we want it to be the best service anywhere,” Anderson said. “As long as our expectations for ourselves exceed the expectations the citizens have for us, we’re going to be getting it right.”
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