Candor hires new police chief ♥

As published in the Courier-Tribune January 24, 2012

By Hugh Martin

CANDOR – During a special called meeting Monday evening that lasted just under three minutes, the Candor Board of Commissioners hired a new chief of police.

Johnny Fulp was selected by a committee that Mayor Richard Britt appointed at the regular town meeting Jan. 9. His hiring was approved by the board during that meeting.

Fulp replaces Randy White, who was fired by the board, along with three of the four other officers, during the regular meeting Dec. 12, 2011. The firing process was initiated by Commissioner Wayne Holyfield, who had been sworn in as a commissioner just minutes before the action took place.

Holyfield was not present for Monday night’s meeting.

At the December meeting Britt had appointed Holyfield, a N.C. State Highway Patrol officer, as police commissioner over the objections of Commissioners Layton Booker and Philip Hearne. Both argued that the appointment was a conflict of interest.

Britt rescinded the appointment at a called meeting Dec. 19. Britt said that those duties would temporarily be his. “My responsibility is to make sure that public safety is maintained,” Britt said.

Britt appointed himself and Commissioners Tim Privett and Layton Booker as the committee to interview and select the candidate for the position.

Holyfield, who patrolled Montgomery County, was moved to Richmond County on “special assignment” following the Dec. 12 meeting. He has since been placed on administrative duty by the N.C. Highway Patrol, which required that he turn in his badge, gun and patrol car while the NCHP investigates his actions as a town commissioner.

Fulp, 50, lives in Richmond County, south of Candor. He began his law enforcement career in 1987 and served as chief of police of the Richmond County town of Ellerbe until that department was disbanded due to a lack of funds by the town.

He spent 10 years with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Jeff Jordan, rising to the rank of Detective Sergeant. He also worked as a school resource officer in Montgomery County. He was relieved of duty when current Sheriff Dempsey Owens took office in 2010.

When asked why he applied for the Candor position, Fulp smiled. “I like working in small towns,” he said. “And I love a challenge.”

Britt praised Interim Chief Eddie Bagwell for the job he had done since the firings took place. Bagwell was the only officer who was not fired on Dec. 12.

“He’s done a heck of a job,” Britt said of Bagwell. “We are fortunate to have someone with his leadership to step in and take care of things.”

Britt said that Fulp will be on duty as soon as all of his credentials are received. “Chief Fulp will be responsible for hiring the next officers,” he said.