Chief White is a former Smithfield police officer and Johnston County deputy sheriff
City Manager Steven Neuschafer has announced that Lt. Clark A. White has been selected to serve as Dunn’s interim chief of police. In early April, current Police Chief Chuck West announced his retirement and the search began for the next city of Dunn police chief.
This recruitment process could take several months and an interim chief is needed for a single point of direction and communication while the search continues, according to a release from the city Wednesday.
White is a native of Johnston County and began his law enforcement career as a police officer with the Town of Smithfield in 1984. While serving with the Smithfield Police Department, he rose through the ranks to patrol lieutenant. In 1990, White was hired as a trooper with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, where he served for 20 years. During 
his tenure as a trooper, he enforced the traffic laws of the state and also served on the Governor’s Executive Protection Detail for Governors James B. Hunt Jr. and Michael F. Easley.
White rose through the ranks from master trooper to line sergeant and retired from the Highway Patrol working in Troop C, District 6 in Smithfield. Following his retirement from the North Carolina Highway Patrol, he was employed with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as a deputy sheriff and criminal investigator.
In April of 2012, White joined the city of Dunn Police Department as a police officer and was later promoted through the ranks to lieutenant over training and recruitment.
City Manager Neuschafer stated, “My selection of Lt. White to head the department is simple. He is one squared-away individual: he cares about each officer and employee of the Dunn Police Department; and he portrays the professionalism that is represented by each and every employee.”
White stated, “I am honored to have been selected by the city manager. It is my goal to make this transition as smooth as possible for our officers and community while maintaining a high level of service.”
White has served the people of North Carolina with distinction and will continue to serve the city of Dunn and its residents with his vast knowledge, experience and utmost integrity, according to the release.
-Dunn Daily Record
