HAMLET— It’s no April Fool’s joke: the Hamlet Police Department has a new chief.
Asheboro native Tommy L. McMasters Jr. was recently hired to fill the spot recently vacated by the retirement of former chief Scott Waters, according to a press release issued Tuesday afternoon.
McMasters spent six years in the U.S. Marine Corps and has more than 15 years of law enforcement experience.
He previously worked as an officer with the Winston-Salem Police Department, a patrol supervisor with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, director of law enforcement training programs, and most recently as patrol commander of the Fayetteville State University Campus Police Department.
McMasters has earned his Advanced Law Enforcement certification as well as a Master’s in Criminal Justice Administration.
“The city is very much looking forward to Chief McMasters leading the Police Department with his seasoned leadership and continuing to make Hamlet a wonderful and safe place to live,” City Manager Jonathan Blanton said in the press release.
McMasters will be sworn in at the next Hamlet City Council meeting April 9.
Waters retired Friday after 28 years with the Hamlet Police Department and will join the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office next month as a part-time deputy.
