Pikeville hires new police chief
By Melinda Harrell
Published in News on March 3, 2015 1:46 PM
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Bryan Leonard
PIKEVILLE -- Pikeville town commissioners unanimously appointed Bryan Leonard as the town's new police chief Monday evening.
Before his appointment, Leonard, 33, spent two years with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and moved on to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, where he served six years as a state trooper.
He said he applied for the position for an improved schedule and "change of pace."
"It's a better schedule for myself," Leonard said. "I have a business. I also own a trucking company in Seven Springs.
"I loved the Highway Patrol, but the scheduling was impossible to do anything else, and with the budget cuts, I had to supplement income, and that is why I started the trucking company."
He says he does not plan to make any significant changes in the department while he is chief.
"Basically, I am just going to observe and learn to start with," Leonard said. "I have no intention of turning anything upside down. It is a pretty quiet town, and I hope to keep it that way."
Leonard attended high school in Duplin County and after he graduated in 1999, went on to James Sprunt Community College where he received his basic law enforcement training education. He went through the 124th Basic Highway Patrol School and graduated in 2009.
"It was a calling, a lot like people are called to the ministry," Leonard said. "I felt like I was called to protect and serve."
Mayor Glenn Hartman said he believes Leonard is a good fit for Pikeville.
"I was one of the ones who recommended him," Hartman said. "He has good credentials and will make a good chief. He is a young person, and I believe if he sticks here ... he will learn a lot about a small town."
Leonard is expected to begin today -- replacing Joe Sadler who resigned Oct. 31 for "personal reasons."