New Burgaw police chief brings change

BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — The new Burgaw Police Chief is making some changes in the community and within the department.

Burgaw Antique Place Owner John Westbrook said this small town is seeing some big changes.

“I’m encouraged about downtown Burgaw for the first time,” Westbrook said.

He said part of that is because of the new chief.

“He seems to be a caring person, genuinely so,” Westbrook said.

Former Pender County Sheriff’s Office Captain Jim Hock took over when former chief Montrina Sutton resigned after a two week suspension. The department was down three officers and the town manager had just eliminated two command positions.

“My number one priority was to get fully staffed and trained,” Chief Hock said.

In the last six weeks, Hock has hired and trained a full staff of 11 officers and an administrative assistant. He has also updated some of their equipment. While he continues working on some policy changes, he has another goal.

“I’ve been trying to get out and meet the businesses and the folks that are walking around the town,” Hock said.

Westbrook said he has seen the community involvement. He said Hock came by to check on him days after his store alarm went off.

“He went through the store and looked to see where somebody might hide,” Westbrook said. “I told him, ‘You know the last police chief, I never met and you’ve been here less than a month and you’re already in here.'”

Next, Hock plans to re-initiate the town’s ‘R U OK?’ program.

“Elderly folk or family members of elderly folks can request that we give them a call,” Hock said. “It’s usually done once a week. We talk to them on the phone and make sure they are all right. If we’re not able to get them on the phone, we’ll have officers that will go by.”

Whether it is the training, the staffing, or the involvement, Westbrook said this small town police department has a big change in attitude.

“They are supportive rather than reactive or rather than to just police,” Westbrook said. “They are part of the community and I see that as being so important.”

Hock said they plan to move forward with the ‘R U OK?’ program next week. He said they eventually plan to have the police department on social media.