City Manager John Castile has announced six finalists for the City of Greenville’s police chief position, which has been open since former chief Terri Wilfong retired in April.
The City received a total of 87 applications from law enforcement professionals from 26 states. Since the position closed last month, City staff has carefully reviewed all of the applications, utilizing input the City received through community stakeholder meetings and an online survey to identify the most qualified candidates and to determine which candidates possess the leadership qualities and experience that the City and the community expect in the new chief. Below is a list of the finalists:
Interim Police Chief Mike Gambrell – Greenville Police Department
Gambrell is a 30-year veteran of the Greenville Police Department. Prior to becoming the interim chief, Gambrell was a major and was responsible for management and budgetary oversight of the department’s Operations Division, including SWAT, the Crisis Negotiation Team, the Dignitary Protection Team and emergency management functions. Gambrell has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Charleston Southern University and recently completed his master’s degree in criminal justice at American Military University.
Captain Mike Harmon – Greenville Police Department
Harmon is a 27-year veteran of the Greenville Police Department and is commander of the department’s Operations Division. As Operations Division Captain, Harmon manages five platoons, as well as the K9, SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Teams. Harmon is a United States Marine Corps veteran and has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Southern Weslyan University in business management and management science, respectively.
Captain Gerald Hunt – Greenville Police Department
Hunt is a 23-year veteran of the Greenville Police Department and is commander of the department’s Support Division. As Support Division Captain, Hunt manages the department’s criminal investigations, communications, traffic, animal control, warrant and vice/narcotics divisions. Hunt has a bachelor’s degree in sociology/criminal justice from Lander University and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Anderson University.
Assistant Chief of Police Brian Harris – DeKalb County Police Department (GA)
Harris is a 21-year veteran of the DeKalb County Police Department and a Brigadier General in the United States Army National Guard. The DeKalb County Police Department has over 950 sworn officers, and as Division Chief for Special Operations, Harris manages the department’s specialized units, including aerial support, bomb, K9, SWAT, traffic and building security. Harris has a master’s degree in military history from American Military University and a master’s degree in strategic studies from United States Army War College.
Chief Deputy Steven Henry – Pinal County Sheriff’s Department (AZ)
Henry joined the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department in 2009 after 15 years of service with the Chandler (AZ) Police Department. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Department has 228 sworn officers, 270 uniformed detention staff and 141 civilian support staff. As Chief Deputy, Henry serves as the sheriff’s senior executive and administrator and oversees a $58 million budget. Henry has a bachelor’s degree in history from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University.
Police Chief Kenneth Miller – Greensboro Police Department (NC)
Miller became Police Chief of the Greensboro Police Department in 2010 after 21 years of service with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. As Police Chief, Miller oversees a $66 million budget and a staff of 783, which includes 673 sworn officers. Miller has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and political science from East Tennessee State University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Miller is also a veteran of the United States Air Force.
The candidates will undergo an extensive interview process in the coming weeks, and will meet with elected officials, community stakeholders and Greenville Police Department personnel, whose input will be integral to the decision-making process. Castile expects to select and announce the City’s new police chief by the end of July.