Mebane city manager Chris Rollins has announced that he has hired a new police chief to succeed long-time chief Terry Caldwell, who announced his July retirement in January.
The new chief is Mitch McKinney, who now serves as the deputy police chief in Apex. McKinney will begin his duties in Mebane on July 24.
Rollins said there were more than 30 applicants for the position.
“Chief McKinney clearly exemplified all of the aspects Mebane was looking for in its next chief,” Rollins said.
McKinney has been in law enforcement for 26 years, including more than 19 years (July 1998 to October 2017) with the Chapel Hill Police Department, where he directed and assisted unit supervisors with training, counseling, evaluating, and administration issues. He worked his way up the ranks managing various levels of responsibility within all units and divisions of the department, from line patrol officer to administrative lieutenant.
In Apex since October 2017 where he started as a captain, he was appointed deputy chief two years later, in October 2019. His responsibilities as deputy chief have included leading and managing all operational aspects of the organization, overseeing departmental training, and developing community outreach programs. He also manages the department’s budget and leads 130 employees whom he encourages to develop strong community relationships so they can better serve the citizens of Apex, according to Mebane’s description of his service there.
In addition to McKinney’s professional credentials, he’s earned a Master’s of Business Administration (with honors) from Pfeiffer University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice/Police Science (with honors) from Mount Olive University.
“I am humbled, honored, and excited to accept the position of chief of police with the Mebane Police Department,” McKinney said in a release prepared by the city of Mebane, adding it as “an incredible blessing and opportunity.”
See story on current chief Terry Caldwell’s retirement: https://alamancenews.com/mebane-police-chief-announces-retirement-this-time-for-real/
