Council confirms Mayor Cheriogotis’ picks for Public Safety Director, Fire Chief
Nov 18th, 2025
Posted in: Press ReleaseMayorFire-RescuePublic Safety
Mobile, Ala. — Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis’ appointments to lead the City of Mobile’s Department of Public Safety and the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department (MFRD) were unanimously confirmed by the Mobile City Council during its meeting earlier today.
Both appointments are required to be approved by the city council under the "Zoghby-Marietta Act" of 1985, the state law that established Mobile’s mayor-council form of government. Director Graves and Chief Glisson will officially assume their new leadership roles, effective immediately.
A longtime Mobile Police officer, and a proven public safety leader, Graves will serve as Executive Director of Public Safety — bringing more than 30 years of experience in criminal investigations and public safety administration to the new role. Graves, a U.S. Army veteran, most recently served as Deputy Director of Public Safety and previously led the MPD’s Office of Strategic Initiatives, where he focused on innovative approaches to crime prevention and community engagement.
A certified Crisis Response Program Training (CRPT) trainer and graduate of the FBI’s ELEVATE Program; Graves is a statewide leader in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) development and co-authored published work on jail diversion and juvenile gun violence. He played a key role in Alabama’s gunshot-wound reporting legislation (HB288) and continues to strengthen cross-agency collaboration, behavioral-health response, and data-driven violence reduction strategies.
“Director Graves has the tools and experience to be not only an effective leader, but also a compassionate and caring advocate for our citizens and victims of crime,” Mayor Cheriogotis said. “I can’t think of a better person to lead this department into the future, and I’m excited to work alongside him to create a public safety system that serves and protects all Mobilians.”
A U.S. Coast Guard veteran and longtime MFRD official, Glisson has served as Interim Fire Chief since July and has nearly three decades of experience in fire, EMS, and emergency management. He began his public safety career in 1993 as a volunteer with a rescue squad and fire department in North Carolina while still serving in the Coast Guard. After eight years as a paramedic — including four in flight operations — Glisson joined MFRD in 2004. Over the next 20 years, he advanced through the ranks as fire medic, driver, captain, district chief, assistant chief, and chief of staff.
“Chief Glisson is a steady, and impactful leader who has faithfully served his country and his community,” Mayor Cheriogotis said. “He has earned the respect of his peers at MFRD and has a command of every aspect of the department’s operations. I believe he is the perfect person to lead MFRD forward and continue its proud tradition of excellence and service.”