Wake Forest names police chief

Leonard had been serving as interim chief since the beginning of the year, following the retirement of former chief Greg Harrington.

“Jeff has performed well during the past six months and has demonstrated that he is very capable of handling the position on a full time basis,” Williams said in a statement. “I believe the police department will make great strides under his leadership.”

Leonard grew up in Wake Forest and graduated from Wake Forest-Rolesville High School in 1989. He has a bachelor's degree in sociology with a concentration in criminal justice from North Carolina State University and is a 2006 graduate of the FBI National Academy.

He joined the Wake Forest Police Department as a part-time auxiliary officer in August 1992 and became a full-time patrol officer two years later. He has risen through the ranks since then and served as deputy chief under Harrington.

As police chief, Leonard will oversee an annual department budget of $6.6 million and 69 professional and sworn staff members.

Leonard will be sworn in at 5:30 p.m. on July 6 in the board chambers of the new Town Hall, at 301 S. Brooks St.