Meet the interim chief
By John Joyce
Published in News on June 7, 2015 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Maj. Michael West, current major of operations, responds to emails regarding personnel management at his desk. West has been selected to serve as interim police chief. He is tentatively set to start his new role on July 1.
Goldsboro police Chief Jeff Stewart took over as chief of police four years ago when former police chief Tim Bell retired.
Scott Stevens, new to Goldsboro and the role of city manager at that time, appointed Stewart as interim chief in early 2011 and hired him as full-time chief in 2012.
Stewart and the city endured 13 murders that first year, prompting the adoption of several new programs aimed at decreasing violence through community policing.
"My four years was nothing but community policing. I spent the majority of my time out there in the public, dealing with them, going to events. If they had questions, I'd answer them. I was always available," he said.
Stewart went to work seeking to improve the equipment his officers had at their disposal -- a new fleet of police cruisers, Tasers, assault rifles and now body cameras currently in the testing phase -- and he initiated new programs such as Goldsboro Partners Against Crime, also known as GPAC.
GPAC, a program that brings members of law enforcement and the judicial system together with community members to confront and hopefully convince violent offenders to change their ways has been regarded as mostly successful by its participants.
Despite the fact that none of the offenders brought in by GPAC have taken advantage of a single community-based program offered to them -- housing assistance, continuing education, child care or work certification programs -- murders in the city fell in 2013 and 2014 to numbers consistent with the previous 10-year average.
The police department has continued to struggle with retention, an issue Stewart said has roots in the fluctuating economy.
"I've really enjoyed working here, working for the city of Goldsboro," Stewart said. "I don't see why so many officers think the grass is greener (elsewhere,") he said.
Stewart augmented his law enforcement career by serving in the U.S. Army Reserves and retired in 2007 as a sergeant first class, U.S. Army Special Forces.
In 2002, in response to Sept. 11, Stewart deployed to Afghanistan as part of one of the first waves of the invasion of that country.
He said his military and law enforcement careers certainly influenced one another, especially his special forces training.
"I was just the quiet professional. I just did the deed, did the job. The ability to get out there, assess the situation, come up with innovative solutions to problems," Stewart said. "I think that really enhanced my career. You go out, do an initial assessment and you come back and try to attack it. Get things done."
Upon his return, then serving as a captain on the police department's command staff, Stewart was soon promoted to major in charge of investigations where he would remain until named interim chief in 2011.
Now, looking back on his career, Stewart said his legacy will be that of a hard worker.
"I was a worker. If I could do it, I would do it myself. I enjoyed that," he said. "I'd get out there and lead from the front, I don't lead from an office. I just enjoyed it."
He said the last four years have gone by in a flash. What he is looking forward to now is more time with his family and the possibility of career away from public service.
Stewart, 54, said he is still young enough to do something else, possibly something working with children.
His wife, who sacrificed so much for his military and law enforcement careers, wants to move to the coast, he said.
But even though his new horizon will include a beach, Stewart said he will miss those whom he has met -- and served with -- in Goldsboro.
"I'm going to miss the officers ... everything I've ever done was for them. I'm going to miss the citizens. I mean, I really enjoyed going to these events and talking to people, interacting with them," Stewart said.
But, he said, it is time to go.
"I've been carrying a gun since I was 18 years old. It's time to pass the torch to someone else."