New police chief appointed in Waveland

There is a new police chief in town for the City of Waveland.

Last night at the city’s board of alderman meeting, assistant chief Michael Prendergast was appointed to the position. He has been with the force his whole career, stretching more than 20 years.

Prendergast was appointed by Mayor Mike Smith who was elected into his second term as mayor back in early December. The prior police chief, David Allen, will still be on the force, heading up the investigation and cybercrime divisions.

Prendergast tells News 25 he wants to focus on community outreach as he begins his new position. “I just feel you know when you reach out to your community and you get them to work with you, you know, it helps us. I mean, we couldn’t do it without the community. They give us information. It’s very important that we build a relationship with our community. Waveland is my home and I’m glad that I can serve my community.”

Prendergast also says some of his other goals as police chief will be to start up some neighborhood watch programs and focus on cybercrimes.