1987-1988: Establishing Standards for the Next Century
The Administration of Chief Sylvester Daughtry, Jr.
On January 16, 1987, Assistant Chief Sylvester Daughtry Jr. was appointed as Greensboro's 17th Chief of Police. One of the toughest challenges that faced Chief Daughtry soon after taking office was an acute manpower shortage. Changes in the officers' retirement program had resulted in the retirement of about 24 veteran officers of various ranks early in 1987. Innovative measures were developed to ensure the continued delivery of police services.
To make the Department more responsive to community needs, Chief Daughtry reorganized several major units in April of 1988. The reorganization was primarily focused on the establishment of a geographically-based district system. Four districts were created, with command staff and line personnel dedicated to the provision of basic police services to a specific section of the city. In early 1988, Chief Daughtry established the first modern police substation. Satellite West, located near the Piedmont Triad International Airport, is now used by District III personnel.
In early 1989, the Department conducted the first lateral entry recruitment program in its modern history. Manpower studies conducted at Chief Daughtry's direction were important in accessing the Department's needs into the next decade.
In January of 1989, the Department had grown to 402 sworn officers and 117 non-sworn employees, who served a growing city of 80 square miles and a population of 194,000. Its 1988-89 budget exceeded $21 million, with more than 80 percent used to pay employee salaries and benefits.
Over the last century, the Greensboro Police Department has evolved into a modern, professional and innovative law enforcement agency that has received national recognition for its excellence. Today, the men and women of the Department are committed to providing citizens with the highest caliber of police services and are dedicated toward setting the standards of excellence ... for the next 100 years.
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