HAMLET — After nearly 30 years in law enforcement, Hamlet Police Chief Scott Waters is stepping away from public service.
Waters and City Manager Jonathan Blanton released a joint statement Wednesday afternoon announcing the chief’s retirement at the end of March.
“I am humbled and blessed to be part of the Hamlet Family and I appreciate the great honor of being able to protect and serve the public,” Waters said in the statement. “I will continue to be a strong supporter of the Hamlet Police Department, the citizens, and the City of Hamlet, just as I always have been. I have been blessed and honored to spend my entire career here in Hamlet.”
Waters was born on Nov. 28, 1968 at the old Hamlet Hospital.
“I interrupted Thanksgiving dinner,” he joked.
He graduated from Richmond Senior High School with an interest in electronics, which he pursued at Richmond Community College.
Waters also took an interest in criminal justice, saying he “always had a desire to help people.”
“It’s a calling from God,” he added.
He joined the Richmond County Rescue Squad in 1989 and was working on his bachelor’s in criminal justice from UNC-Pembroke in 1991 when he responded to a call of a fire at Imperial Foods, where his mother worked.
That incident put his degree on hold.
In the meantime, Waters had applied at several law enforcement agencies. He was scheduled to take a test for the N.C. State Highway Patrol when he got a call from the Hamlet Police Department.
Waters started his 28-year career with the department as a patrolman under Chief Terry Moore.
Throughout the years, he was worked “every step along the way” from shift sergeant to school resource officer at Hamlet Junior High, then to detective sergeant, detective lieutenant, detective captain and patrol captain. In 2014, Waters was promoted to chief, with Moore pinning on his badge and rank.
Waters, who encourages education of officers, earned his advanced certification in law enforcement, his criminal investigation certificate, his D.A.R.E. instructor certification, and his general instructor certification.
He will stay on as chief of the rescue squad, where he has been volunteer chief since 9/11.
“That’s another passion in the way I get to help the community,” he said.
Waters said he had a good working relationship with both the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the Rockingham Police Department and that the county is “very fortunate” to have a high caliber of first responders.
“The City of Hamlet is incredibly grateful for the nearly three decades of faithful service that Chief Waters has provided,” Blanton said in a statement. “His loyalty and dedication to the City has been unparalleled.
“Chief Waters has consistently demonstrated a passion for the Hamlet Police Department that exemplifies the heart of a public servant and he will be greatly missed.”
Waters, who will retire March 29, said he plans to looks forward to spending time with his mother, wife, three daughters and new granddaughter.
“It’s time to enjoy life,” he said.
Blanton said the city will begin the process of advertising for a new police chief within the coming days.
