The town of Angier has officially lifted the interim tag from its police Chief Lee Thompson. Town officials announced on Wednesday he has been named to fill the role officially.

Thompson was promoted from lieutenant to interim chief in August of 2021, following the dismissal of former Chief Arthur Yarbrough, according to Angier Town Manager Gerry Vincent.

Vincent noted the improvement Thompson has brought to the department in the short time he’s been in the role. He is credited with the following:

• Implementing a hiring board, promotional board and a career ladder for the police officers,
• Revamping the police department to strengthen its force, while able to promote officers,
• Creating two narcotics positions, allowing 24/7 coverage within the Angier community,
• Creating an additional investigator/crime scene investigator position,
• Creating a part time records clerk/evidence custodian position,
• Establishing Angier’s first police chaplain,
• Establishing Angier’s first Special Response Team, which has trained extensively over the last several weeks,
• Began conducting community education programs within the Angier community to make residents aware of scammers, home security and contact information when a crime has taken place,
• Revamping the department’s field officer manual,
• Revamping the department’s Homeowner Association Outreach Program,
• Revamping the School Resource Officer program to establish transparency between the schools and the Angier Police Department,
• And, thanks to the board of commissioners, outfitting officers with new and updated protective equipment.

Thompson joined the Angier Police Department in January of 2012, was promoted to corporal in February of 2016, sergeant in 2019 and lieutenant in 2020 before being named interim chief.

Thompson has also been recognized with the Lifesaving Award for his actions on March 9, 2020.

“It is a privilege and honor to announce the chief of police of the town of Angier,” Vincent said in a press release. “I have worked with Lt. Lee Thompson over the last three years and have seen the hard work and dedication to the Angier Police Department, to the community and the citizens he serves on a daily basis.”

Rick Curl can be reached at rcurl@mydailyrecord.com or at 910-230-2038.