Greensboro Reporter

Greensboro’s new police chief is taking charge of a department that is understaffed in a city that is looking for ways to cut down on crime. 

That might sound like a tough sell to many candidates, but John Thompson has an outlook that might help him achieve his goals.

"We have a lot of challenges we're facing, but I kind of look at those challenges as opportunities,” Thompson told WFMY 2 News.

John Thompson | Greensboro-nc.gov

Thompson, who was sworn in as chief Tuesday, is originally from Cobb, California. He moved to Asheboro and started his law enforcement career in 1988. He transferred to the city of Greensboro in 2003 and has held a variety of positions there, serving in the Resource Management Division, the Vice/Narcotics Division and taking on the role of Bureau Commander of the Patrol Division.

One of the first things he will have to deal with is finding ways to attract new recruits, as the department is about 18% understaffed.

"We're authorized (for) about 690 positions, and that is a significant challenge,” he said of the 120 vacancies. “Unfortunately, we aren't seeing a wave of recruits or applicants coming into the organization. We continue to see individuals leave the organization." 

He said his goal is to get the department back to what it was like 20 years ago, when it was a premiere agency that attracted transfers like him.

Another item on the to-do list is to strive for a continued reduction in the crime rate.

"We see a reduction in violent crime, but we are not where we want to be,” Thompson said, according to WFMY 2 News. “I have some ideas; I'm getting my leadership team in place."

Once that is done, Thompson said he intends to have some community forums in February because he genuinely wants feedback from the community.

"Just because I sit in the role as police chief, I don't want to assume I know what's going on,” he said, according to WFMY 2 News.

Thompson describes himself as a quiet person who cares about people and the community. 

"I want you to sit down with me and hope that you would see that from me,” he told WFMY 2 News. “I think that's important for me as a leader in this organization."