Mount Olive names interim Police Department chief
By From staff reports
Published in News on December 31, 2014 1:46 PM
Full Size
Tommy Brown, a former military policeman, is a captain on the force.
MOUNT OLIVE -- Tommy Brown has been named interim chief of the town's police department.
Brown, 45, who is currently a captain on the force, will replace Chief Brian Rhodes who announced earlier this year that he will retire effective June 30.
Rhodes will remain with the department in an advisory role during the transition period, Town Manager Charles Brown said.
Charles Brown, who is not related to Tommy Brown, also indicated that Brown could end up as the permanent chief.
"This gives us six months to see what he is capable of," he said.
It also gives him on-the-job training, the town manager said.
What that also means is that the town does not have to advertise and look elsewhere for a new chief if it decides not to, Charles Brown said.
He added that the decision to name an interim chief falls under his duties as manager. However, because it is such an important office, Brown said that he thought it best to talk with Mayor Ray McDonald Sr. and the town board.
Tommy Brown began his career in law enforcement in 1991 as a military police officer in the U.S. Army.
After leaving the Army, Brown served with the Duplin County Sheriff's Office and Wallace Police Department.
He joined the Mount Olive Police Department in 1998.
Along with serving as captain, Brown also was the department's assistant chief.
In 2011, Brown received specialized certification from the N.C. Department Justice, Training and Standards Commission as a firearms instructor.
He received certification as a general criminal justice instructor in 2009.
Earlier this year, Brown was awarded a advanced law enforcement certificate from the state -- one of the highest certifications awarded by the state.
Brown and his wife, Carie, have four children.