HAMLET — Although he’s a week away from a formal swearing in, Hamlet’s new police chief officially took his oath Tuesday.
City Manager Jonathan Blanton held the Bible while Chief Tommy L. McMasters Jr. was sworn in by City Clerk and Zoning Coordinator Gail Strickland.
McMasters, an Asheboro native, was hired to fill the spot left vacant by former Chief Scott Waters, who retired last Friday after 28 years with the Hamlet Police Department.
A six-year Marine Corps veteran, McMasters has more than 15 years of law enforcement experience, having previously worked with the Winston-Salem Police Department and Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.
Before coming to Hamlet, he was patrol commander of the Fayetteville State University Campus Police Department.
McMasters will be formally sworn in at the April 9 Hamlet City Council meeting.