Retiring chief ready to enjoy a new life
By John Joyce
Published in News on June 7, 2015 1:50 AM
Chief Jeff Stewart
Goldsboro police Chief Jeff Stewart, 53, will officially retire July 1 after having served four years as head of the city police department.
With plenty of sick time to cash in and time allotted for his military service, Stewart's retirement signals the end of his 28-year career in law enforcement.
City Manager Scott Stevens has tapped Maj. Michael West, major of operations for the Goldsboro Police Department, to serve as interim chief.
"I really appreciate the opportunity to work here and serve the people. I really do care about the people of Goldsboro, Wayne County," Stewart said. "I always have."
Stewart began his law enforcement career after graduating at the top of his basic law enforcement training class at Pitt Community College in 1987. He was then hired as a patrol officer with the Goldsboro Police Department, where he began his ascent through the ranks.
Nearly three decades later, Stewart said he has no regrets and is looking forward to his next challenge.
"I'm not much of a fisherman, My last time out I caught a tree," he said. "My son likes to fish, he is good at it. I like to golf."
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The new interim chief will celebrate 23 years in law enforcement this month.
West, 48, said he is excited at the opportunity, but is mindful that his window is brief.
"This may go five or six months. That gives me a chance to see what being the chief is all about and to see if it is a good fit for me and the family," West said.
He said it will give the city manager a chance to evaluate him in the role as well, which will allow the city to decide if he is the right man for the job.
Stevens said naming West was a natural part of the process.
"In all (city) departments we have a second or third person in place to run things if the department head is not there," he said.
In the police department there are three majors, one of whom is a recent promotion. Stevens said he has spoken with the other two majors and settled on West as the right choice to lead the department after Stewart leaves office.
"I will at some point go out and look for whoever is the best chief, that will likely be sometime around November or December. That would put the hiring time frame sometime in January, maybe February," Stevens said.
That will give West a minimum of six months to serve in the top position.
"That will allow time for West to function as chief and to see if he likes it, see if I like him, or if he doesn't like it."
Should West take on the role permanently, he said his primary goal will be to reduce crime.
"We've got to continue to keep our eye on the goal of reducing crime, serving the citizens," the major said.
We said he hopes manpower deficits will not continue to be an issue, but should that trend persist under his leadership, the department will have to continue to do the best it can to serve the public.
"We may have to do more with maybe less," he said.
Beyond that, his chief concern is communicating openly with the community and developing trust.
"I think that they expect more out of us. I think they expect us to be fair about it and do the best for them," he said. "And do it professionally and respectfully."