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-Information courtesy the Town of Youngsville
Six months after Chief Daren Kirts of the Youngsville Police Department announced his retirement, the Town of Youngsville announced that Lieutenant Greg Whitley of the Knightdale Police Department will be Youngsville’s next chief of police.
Town Administrator Phil Cordeiro shared, “Foremost, I’d like to express my sincerest gratitude for the department’s – and the community’s – patience and participation throughout our recruitment and selection process. I know it’s taken a bit longer than some would prefer, but this was an extremely important decision and needed to be managed with the utmost care.”
The chief of police recruitment process began in May and the town received over 60 applications for the position.
Through a process comprised of three rounds and eight separate interviews, nearly 40 assessors provided written feedback to the town administrator on candidate performance and qualifications. Assessors’ backgrounds ran the gamut, including community watch leaders, retired law enforcement professionals, neighboring town managers, current town employees, and elected officials.
Among many factors in a crowded field, Mr. Whitley was selected as chief in response to his two decades of diverse law enforcement experience and a myriad of professional law enforcement credentials – including an advanced law enforcement certificate, multiple instructor certifications, and formal training with federal agencies such as the FBI and FEMA.
In reaction to the decision, Mr. Whitley remarked, “It is an honor to be selected as chief of police. I am committed to providing the highest level of customer service to citizens through professional policing, with a focus on the training and development of officers. I believe police and community relationships are best built upon a bank of public trust and I will ensure transparency in the agency’s operations and a commitment to building community partnerships.”
Mayor Fonzie Flowers shared, “I think Mr. Whitley will bring a valuable array of skills to the department that will strengthen its ability to make Youngsville a safe and exciting place to live.” He went on to add, “And, I want to underscore my appreciation for the stalwart efforts of Interim Chief Kimball, Captain Magsi, and the entire department. Their leadership and dedication during this time of transition have propelled the department in the right direction and have forged a cohesive team of competent professionals.”
Mr. Whitley is slated to be privately sworn-in and assumes the chief role on December 2, 2019. The town will hold a public swearing-in ceremony during its regular board of commissioners meeting on Thursday, December 12, 2019, where all members of the public are welcome.