JAMICĂ C. ASHLEY
Editor
PRINCEVILLE —
The new chief of police is bringing years of experience and a common sense approach to the post.
Joey Petway is the new police chief for Princeville and with a little more than a week on the job he is ready to start planning for the future of safety for the town.
"I look forward to working effectively with the town and I look forward to getting to know the citizens," Petway said. "And working in a positive direction for the town."
The position of police chief of Princeville became available recently when former chief Gary Foxx was demoted to lieutenant.
The Rocky Mount native has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience under his belt, with this position being the fulfillment of a long-term goal.
"A long term goal was to be a chief of police," he said. "That was my career goal."
Petway's interest in law enforcement stems from his uncle who was a police officer in Washington D.C. and began in 1987 as a federal police officer in the nation's capitol with the United States Capitol Police Department.
He came to the Rocky Mount Police Department in 1988 as a police officer, training officer and working with the neighborhood interaction program.
His time at the Charleston City Police Department was well spent as a uniform patrol division officer, a school liaison officer and working in special operations and narcotics.
Before becoming the chief of police for the town of Enfield, Petway worked for the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office and as a resource coordinator for the Twin County Juvenile Reporting Day Center.
Most recently, Petway served as a detective for the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office and in the uniform division.
"I have a good rapport with the Sheriff's Office," Petway said. "I foresee that it will be a good partnership that will hopefully lead to some positive results."
Petway oversees seven officers, two of which are part-time and said that so far the job has been "demanding" but his biggest challenge has been getting organized.
"Getting things in place to set up future short-term and long-term goals (has been the biggest challenge)," said Petway. "I'm formulating goals but right now it's a process of getting everyone on board."
Princeville was attractive to Petway, not only because of the position it offered but also because of its historic significance.
Petway will be working most closely with Princeville Town Manager Victor Marrow and "foresees that going fine, great."
Having worked under various leadership styles and approaches, Petway said that he will use the fair and firm approach to get the job done.
Petway holds a bachelor's degree from North Carolina Central University, organized the current standard operating procedures manual and mission statement for the Enfield Police Department and organized a community senior citizens check list.
The father of two sons, Petway a former U.S. Army Reservist, has completed federal law enforcement training and has received letters of commendation from individuals and businesses for his service.
Petway was sworn in during the December Board of Commissioners meeting, accompanied by his mother, grandmother, godmother, friends and others.
