Winston-Salem Wants Public's Help In Police Chief Search

The city of Winston-Salem is one step closer to selecting a new police chief. Two finalists have been named. The candidates will take questions from the public at a forum on Wednesday.

One of the frontrunners for the new police chief is no stranger to the department. Catrina Thompson has worked there for 23 years. She now serves as the assistant chief in charge of the Investigative Services Bureau.

The other finalist is Major Cameron Selvey. He has 25 years of law enforcement experience and has spent his entire career with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Selvey currently is the commander of the Criminal Investigative Bureau.

Assistant City Manager Derwick Paige says the forum will give the public a chance to get to know the candidates.

“It's a moderated session where citizens will have the opportunity and I think we've established up to 90 seconds to ask questions of the candidates about issues of concern to them,” says Paige. "Because at the end of the day the citizens have to have as much confidence in the police chief as the city manager's office does or the city council does."

The candidates will also be meeting with Winston-Salem Police Department personnel before the forum begins.

Winston-Salem City leaders say they received more than 20 applications from throughout the country for the top cop position.

The search began after Police Chief Barry Rountree said he is retiring on September 1.

The public meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 16 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber. Citizens who cannot attend can submit questions online at the city's website.

Paige says he expects the new leader to be announced by the end of the month.

*Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news