By Janet Sutton

Starting a new career can be quite daunting; there's the fear of unfamiliar territory or adjusting to a different schedule. Simply gaining experience is all a part of the process and eventually, there'll come a time, when someone gets promoted. And this concept, stands true at Kinston Police Department.

Last Thursday, KPD recognized their staff with a Promotion and Officer Swearing-in ceremony. Seven officers who began training in 2019, along with 10 certified officers in the field training program received their badges during the program. The latest installation of new hires will give KPD a full department, which they haven't had since 2010. More than 100 people filled the banquet room inside Kinston Community Center to show their support.

Mayor Don Hardy, a former law enforcement officer for KPD, expressed his appreciation to the group.

"Thank you to those 17 law enforcement officers who stepped up to the plate and took this call, it's a life-changing call and I want to say thank you and welcome to this great family," Hardy said.

Along with the new group of officers, captains and sergeants were thanked for their dedication and sacrifice. There was one last announcement to be made, Kinston’s new police chief. After the retirement of Alonzo Jaynes, in 2019, Major. Tim Dilday stepped in as interim police chief but at the ceremony, he was able to step forward as the new chief of police.

After his wife LaDonna pinned his badge onto his uniform, Dilday stepped behind the podium and expressed his gratitude for the position he'd been patiently waiting for, then he issued a challenge to his officers.

"Live a life of purpose; there's a known reason that each of you put on a uniform the first time, don't lose sight of that reason; the day you think it's too difficult or it's not worth it, the day you feel unappreciated, disrespected think of the sacrifices that Deputy Chief Pate, Lt. Wiggins and countless others who came before us in order for us to have the prosperity that we now experience," Dilday said. "These men walked patrol beats, no computers no phones and for a while no radios, with little equipment and even less training they held true to the same principles of law enforcement services that you're held to today," he said. 

Dilday has been just like those officers, anxious and eager to make a difference. He's been in law enforcement for the last 25 years, working as a narcotics detective, crisis hostage negotiator and special response unit sergeant and now administration.

He closed the program with these final words: "I submit to you that there's nothing more fulfilling than leading a life of service and as for me, I can think of nothing more noble than serving in our chosen profession here in the city of Kinston, thank you.," he said.

Janet Sutton / Neuse News

Janet Sutton / Neuse News