Chief Troy Rich of the Thomasville Police Department announced Thursday, January 11, 2018 the promotion of Major Eric Hampton to Assistant Police Chief. In his new role, Assistant Chief Hampton will be responsible for overseeing TPD’s community policing initiatives.
“I’m very proud to announce the promotion of Assistant Chief Hampton,” said Rich. “He has been a committed leader not only within our organization, but also within our community for more than 30 years. I’ve relied on him heavily in the last several years as our department has grown and undertaken many new initiatives. I can always count on Assistant Chief Hampton to lead by example and use his influence to help further the mission of the City of Thomasville and the Thomasville Police Department.”
Hampton joined TPD in 1988 as a patrol officer. He has risen through the ranks during his tenure with TPD, mostly serving in the community services division as first a sergeant in 1994. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1997 and major in 2014. Throughout his career with TPD, he has worked in several capacities, including patrol, field training officer, community relations, school resource officer and DARE. He holds a bachelor’s of science degree in criminal justice from Thomas University and is also a graduate of the Georgia Command College and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy.
“Assistant Chief Hampton has been a valuable member of the leadership team for our department,” said Rich. “As Assistant Chief, he will continue in this role as he helps guide our organization forward more fully into the 21st Century Policing model, which allows law enforcement agencies to strengthen trust and collaboration within their communities while also reducing crime.”
Rich said that one of the International Associations of Chiefs of Police’s strategic initiatives for 2018 is increasing public trust, something Hampton has been instrumental in building between TPD and the Thomasville community it serves. “Public trust is the foundation of policing within communities across the nation,” he said. “There is no one more qualified than Assistant Chief Hampton to assist our department in continuing to build the invaluable relationships that are instrumental in helping us to make our community safer.”
“I’m very excited for this opportunity,” said Hampton. “I’m humbled by the level of trust and confidence that Chief Rich has placed in me that is demonstrated by this promotion. TPD has many exciting initiatives in store for 2018, and I’m proud to have a role in leading our department into the future.”
Hampton will officially be sworn in during a ceremony that will be held January 18th at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Auditorium.