Warner Robins appoints new long-term interim police chief, continues permanent chief search

The City of Warner Robins mayor and city council voted to appoint a new “long-term” interim police chief earlier this week.

Monday, the city appointed Roy Whitehead, a law enforcement veteran who has served as chief in two other departments and has more than 50 years of law enforcement experience.

Tuesday marked Whitehead’s first day in the new role leading the Warner Robins Police Department.

“I am excited for the opportunity to serve in this community,” Whitehead said. “I pledge to foster an environment of professionalism and care for the citizens of Warner Robins.”

The appointment of a long-term interim chief is the city’s latest step in the process toward finding a permanent chief.

The role was vacated last October when former chief John Wagner, who served as chief for three years and served with the Warner Robins Police Department for 31 years, retired.

After Wagner’s retirement, Wayne Fisher was chosen as “short-term” interim chief and worked in the role for about three months.

“Interim Chief Fisher has done an outstanding job since taking the reins of the police department in October,” said Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick. “However, as the 11th largest city in the state, we believe it is most prudent for Interim Chief Whitehead to bring an outsider’s perspective before we make the permanent selection of our city’s top law enforcement officer.”

In July 2021, Whitehead retired from his position as chief of the Snellville Police Department, a role he held for 17 years. He also served as chief of the police department in Summerville, South Carolina for 10 years.

Whitehead has worked in a variety of other roles including vice chairman of the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council.

“Chief Whitehead came highly recommended to us by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police,” Patrick said. “Given his lifetime of service, we know he is the most qualified person to aid in the path towards a permanent chief in the next six to eight months.”

At the city council meeting Monday, Patrick said anyone serving in the interim role is not eligible to apply for the permanent chief position.