HAMLET — Friday is the deadline for applications in the search for a new police chief.
Former Chief Tommy McMasters, an Asheboro native, was hired in April of 2019 following the retirement of Scott Waters. He tendered his resignation on Oct. 30.
McMasters is a Marine Corps veteran and worked for 15 years in law enforcement with the Winston-Salem Police Department, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and Fayetteville State University.
In a Nov. 23 Facebook post, the department announced that Capt. Anthony Moss was selected to serve as interim chief.
“Today is bittersweet,” McMasters said in the post. “BITTER due to the fact that I am relinquishing the reigns of this great department and SWEET because I am handing these reigns to another Marine and an individual who will work tirelessly to ensure the citizens of Hamlet are taken care of until a full time Chief is hired.”
McMasters said Moss “has proven himself to be dedicated and committed to Hamlet and I am confident that he will give the City of Hamlet 110% every day.”
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 a “Know Your Rights” forum to “eliminate negative encounters through sharing and dialogue” so the police and community can “work together, collaboratively.”
“I appreciate every citizen in Hamlet, the Hamlet City Council, City Manager, Citizens Police Review Board, and all law enforcement partners that I have been blessed to encounter,” McMasters concluded. “Please continue to pray for me as I will for each of you.”
City Manager Matthew Christian said he was “encouraged” by the number of qualified applicants thus far and that he plans to start reviewing applications next week.
However, there is not yet any timeline on when a permanent replacement will be hired.
