Veteran law enforcement professional and Clayton native Greg Tart was sworn in as Clayton Chief of Police Friday by Johnston County Superior Court Judge Thomas Lock in a small ceremony held at The Clayton Center.
Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell, District Attorney Susan Doyle, Town Council members, and several members of the Tart family attended the ceremony.
The former State Bureau of Investigation deputy director has served as Acting Chief of Police since mid-November.
Town Manager JD Solomon said, “Chief Tart has done an exceptional job of leading our police department over the past few months. It is good to officially get “acting” out of his title.”
“This is an honor,” Tart said. “I can’t tell you how humbled I am to be able to come home and be police chief. Clayton is home; it’s where I grew up, where I belong. There’s no place in this country that I’d rather be.”
Tart retired from the SBI in December 2017 after nearly 30 years of law enforcement service in North Carolina. Tart has worked with numerous law enforcement agencies across the state and with prosecutors on state and federal levels. When he retired from the SBI, he managed eight field offices with a force of more than 600 sworn and non-sworn employees.
After his retirement Tart served as a reserve duty deputy sheriff with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office. He also did investigative contract work for the State Crime Lab and the UNC University system.
In 2018 Tart was a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest honor for persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments.
He and his wife, Krystal, live in Clayton, and have two daughters, Elizabeth, 25, and Isabelle, 13.
Interesting— another Town of Clayton hiring without a process. Town Manager, Police Chief, Deputy Fire Chief. Good Ole Boy System working at its finest here. Think Clayton – Think “it’s all about who you know“
I agree! Hundreds of thousands of dollars in salaries have been given to these people without a hiring process. I believe the tax payers deserve answers.
Greg was the deputy director for the SBI in charge of 600 people and 8 field offices! He really is over qualified for this job and Clayton is very fortunate to have him as chief of police. I personally know Greg and his family. Impeccable character. After all his service to our state in a stressful job he could take it easy and enjoy his retirement. The fact that he is taking on this job shows his commitment to his community and what ab unselfish individual he is.
It’s not a question of his ability to lead. It’s a matter of the Town of Clayton continues its Good Ole Boy System hiring. Town Manager? Hand picked Clayton boy, let’s forget the process of hiring a town manager the right way. Police Chief? who needs a process right – we know a guy. Deputy Fire Chief – let’s pick someone from within – probably not even qualified – but hey doing hiring processes to pick the best candidate: completely stupid idea. – I bet a process could have produced someone from the inside qualified as well but who needs to waste time doing that?
And just how do you define a “hiring process”? Do you expect the Town Manager and others to poll the citizens? Should they ask for your opinions? Just how are they supposed to hire? I suggest you leave it to the Manager and Town Council.