Lieutenant Nathan Beard, from left, Detective Corporal Tanner Wilkerson and Corporal Clint Harrell

Madison Police Department has announced promotions for Lieutenant Nathan Beard, Corporal Clint Harrell and Detective Corporal Tanner Wilkerson.

As second-shift supervisor, Beard is directly responsible for all police enforcement inside Madison from 2 to 10 p.m. with 13 officers.

Beard also manages the K-9 Unit with “three patrol K-9’s (police dogs). As their supervisor, I ensure they comply with required training and maintenance.” He continues to make patrol calls.

“I enjoy the different opportunities that this job presents,” Beard said. “Each day I’m doing something different — from directing traffic to working narcotics cases. I also enjoy helping people from the community.”

After serving five years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Beard worked for two years with the Craven County (N.C.) Sheriff’s Office. He moved to Madison 10 years ago to live near his family.

Harrell is now working as a police corporal. “I’ll be first-line supervisor for patrol officers working first shift,” he said. “I’ll will continue to patrol and respond to emergency calls throughout the city.”

“I enjoy having an opportunity to help people and get to know people in the community,” Harrell said. His career started with the Jackson (Ala.) Police Department in 1996. He then was an Alabama State Trooper. From 2005-2010, he served as Coffeeville Chief of Police.

The Harrell family moved to Madison two years ago, drawn by the quality of life and Madison’s excellent schools.

His wife, a registered nurse, works for the Clinic for Women. Two of their children attend Columbia Elementary School. Their oldest daughter attends Calhoun Community College.

In the new position of detective corporal, Wilkerson will receive cases for alleged crimes and “build evidence/information to prove allegations, identify offenders and assist in prosecution.”

“Whether I’m on duty or at home, I’m still available for call-outs, such as weather-related situations like the April storms last year,” he said.

Police work has been Wilkerson’s career goal. “I’ve had two family members in law enforcement. Their excitement and love of the job naturally rubbed off,” he said.

“My first goal (as) a police officer was to help people … to protect the innocent from the offenders that seek to victimize them,” Wilkerson said. “It’s still my largest love of the job.”

Wilkerson previously was a second-shift patrol officer and field training officer. He also worked as detention officer at Madison County Jail.