After eight years as Apex Police Chief, John Letteney signed off duty for the last time during a retirement ceremony in December. On Jan. 11, he was sworn in as chief of police in Thomasville, Ga.
Letteney joined the Apex Police Department in 2012, and has worked in law enforcement for 39 years. During his tenure with APD, he focused on outreach, crime prevention and problem solving efforts to build relationships and enhance the quality of life throughout the community.
“I am extremely honored and humbled to have had the opportunity to serve the citizens of Apex as their Chief of Police, and to work alongside the many dedicated public servants who make up the Apex Police Department and the Town of Apex family,” said Letteney, when his retirement was announced.
John Letteney was sworn in as chief of police in Thomasville, Ga., during a Jan. 11 ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Thomasville, Ga. police)
Under his leadership, the Apex Police Department became and remained accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. This recognition has been achieved by only about 6% of law enforcement agencies in North Carolina.
“I have had the privilege to work with Chief Letteney for the past six years and find him to be dedicated to excellence in community focused law enforcement, and to the highest standards of professional and personal integrity,” said Drew Havens, Apex town manager. “His quest for continual improvement is shared by those he leads, and his collegial approach to working with other department leaders in our organization will be missed.”
Apex is in the process of selecting their next Chief of Police, which is expected to take between five and six months. The first step is to conduct focus group and community group meetings, which will help inform a candidate profile that will be used as the basis for a national search for the ideal candidate.
“Chief Letteney’s many contributions to the Apex Police department and the community are appreciated and will never go unnoticed. During my time of serving with him, his passion for law enforcement was evident,” said Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert, a former police captain. “I wish him much success in his new assignment.”
