HAMLET — The Seaboard City is on the lookout for a new police chief.
City leaders confirmed Thursday that Chief Tommy McMasters will be leaving the Hamlet Police Department.
McMasters, an Asheboro native, was hired in April of 2019 following the retirement of Scott Waters.
Mayor Bill Bayless said McMasters will be leaving at the end of the month to take a job closer to family.
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.
“I hate to see him go,” said Bayless, himself a former law enforcement officer. “He’s really done a lot of good for the city.”
McMasters made community policing a top priority, going door-to-door with other officers to the surrounding neighborhoods to rebuild the bridge between the police and the community.
In December of 2019, McMasters and the department hosted “Know Your Rights” forum to “eliminate negative encounters through sharing and dialogue” so the police and community can “work together, collaboratively.”
“We wish he would stay, but we understand the situation,” Bayless said. “He has done a great job and (will) be hard to replace.
Bayless said City Manager Matthew Christian will be appointing an interim chief until another is hired.
Christian could not immediately be reached for this story.
UPDATE: 2:24 p.m.
Hamlet City Manager Matthew Christian confirmed Thursday afternoon that McMasters tendered his resignation on Oct. 30.
He notified city staff of the resignation on Thursday morning:
“I’m sad to say that Chief McMasters will be leaving the City of Hamlet. He has accepted a new job and his last day will be November 30th. Chief McMasters has been an excellent force for positive change in our community and our organization. Please join me in wishing him the best in his future endeavors.”
Christian said the city will advertise the position as soon as possible, likely on Friday, adding that the city “will consider applications from any qualified applicants.”
The city manager added that he and McMasters are working together on a transition plan.
The RO will update this story as more information becomes available.
