Wendell News Outlet

DATE: July 31, 2008

Re.: Vance Johnson hired as new Wendell Police Chief

Vance Johnson has been hired as the new Police Chief for Wendell (pop. 5,423). Mr. Johnson currently serves as the Police Chief of Wadesboro, NC (pop. 5,564).

Mr. Johnson is filling the vacancy of the position that was created by the retirement of Police Chief Joe Privette. Chief Privette retired as of July 31, 2008 after twenty-eight (28) years of service to the Town of Wendell, including the last fifteen (15) as Police Chief.

As the Wadesboro Chief of Police, Mr. Johnson oversaw a departmental budget of $1.6 million. (The 2008-09 Wendell Police Department budget is $1.39 million.) In Wadesboro, Mr. Johnson introduced criminal interdiction within the department, which has resulted in over $655,000 of seizures, and established a gang information officer within the department.

Prior to his tenure in Wadesboro, Vance Johnson served for fourteen (14) years in the Henderson, NC (pop. 16,450) Police Department in various capacities, working his way up from a Patrol Officer to Lieutenant, a rank he held for ten (10) years. At various points during his tenure in Henderson, Mr. Johnson oversaw a City / County Drug Task Force, developed a Highway Safety Initiative, and initiated a departmental Emergency Services Unit.

Additionally, Vance Johnson has earned his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate and has completed 2,800 hours of in-service training, including 200 hours of senior management training. Mr. Johnson is a Certified Instructor and has taught law enforcement classes at Vance – Granville Community College since 1995.

Wendell Town Manager David Bone stated, “Vance Johnson’s experience, qualifications, and leadership will prove to be valuable assets to the Wendell Police Department and to the Town of Wendell as the town develops and prospers. As Town Manager, I am excited about working with Mr. Johnson and continuing to work with the rest of the staff of the Town of Wendell as we serve the town’s citizens. I am confident that Mr. Johnson will prove to be an exceptional Police Chief for Wendell.”

Mr. Johnson stated, "My family and I are excited about making Wendell our home. We are very pleased with Wendell’s small town charm. I look forward to being a part of the community and facing the challenges that we will encounter as the town grows. My philosophy for law enforcement is to have co-active policing, which involves proactive police work with citizens involved in the problem-solving process."

Mr. Johnson will begin his duties as the Wendell Police Chief on September 2, 2008 with a starting salary of $65,000, plus benefits. Sergeant Bobby Langston of the Wendell Police Department will serve as the Interim Police Chief until Mr. Johnson’s arrival. Mr. Johnson was selected as Police Chief from a pool of sixty-seven (67) applicants.

Attachment: Photo of Mr. Johnson

posted by Administrator  # 5:03 AM