During the Public Safety Committee Meeting on Nov. 3, commissioners honored Ford for her nearly three decades of leadership, service, and commitment to the community. Ford also made history as the first female Captain and the first female Chief in the Oxford Police Department.
"While tenure along doesn't always equal experience, your experience shows. It shows in your officers, and it shows in how the department is run," Commissioner Curtis McRae said. "I can't say it enough, the department does a phenomenal job, and you did a phenomenal job in what you do. We pray that our next chief will have a little bit of Pat Ford in them."
Ford said she is grateful for the support the Board has shown in the department throughout her time there.
"My leadership philosophy has always been different. Instead of standing at the top and letting direction trickle down, I believe in standing at the bottom to lift everyone up," she said. "My role has always been to support the officers and staff who serve this community every day."
More information will be shared regarding the leadership transition when it becomes available.